STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Citing state law, New York City is threatening to hold the union that represents the captains, assistant captains, mates, chief engineers and marine engineers on the Staten Island Ferry responsible for heavily disrupted service that persisted for roughly 24 hours this week.
From 1 p.m. Thursday through 2 p.m. Friday, the Staten Island Ferry operated on an hourly schedule, even during rush hour, as numerous crew members called out sick, limiting the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) ability to provide full service. As of Friday at 2 p.m., Staten Island Ferry service had been partially restored, with boats running every 30 minutes.
“Amid a national marine worker shortage, and on the second day of yet another instance of workers scheduled to operate the Staten Island Ferry calling out sick, the city has sent a letter to Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA) leadership reminding them that New York state law prohibits public employees from participating in a strike or work slowdown,” a mayor’s office spokesperson said in a statement to the Advance/SILive.com. “Over the last 24 hours, we have done everything necessary to get travelers between Staten Island and Manhattan safely — but while we have successfully navigated this emergency and will restore 30-minute service this afternoon, the service reductions required as a result of these actions are extremely disruptive to the tens of thousands of people who ride the ferry every day, Staten...
In a recent hearing before the House Oversight Committee, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg aptly refuted incorrect claims made by Republicans regarding electric vehicles. According to an Ad...