ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s work to avert a strike on the nation’s largest commuter rail system is boosting his aggressively cultivated image as a pragmatist who gets things done – though some observers are saying he only did what his job requires.
Cuomo announced a deal Thursday to prevent a strike by Long Island Rail Road workers. Under the compromise workers will get raises but also will begin contributing to insurance costs.
Commuter Jeff Rothfield says he’s pleased Cuomo helped resolve the dispute but says it was his job as governor to do so.
Stony Brook University political scientist Peter Salins says a strike would have hurt Cuomo’s image as someone good at managing chaos. But he says voters may forget the dispute long before Election Day.