LIRR workers, they haven't been so direct as to say it to your face, but the MTA thinks you are ignorant and stupid. How else could they could they ignore PEB 244 and PEB 245?

We are entering the final throes of negotiation between the LIRR and its union workers, just days away from a strike, and I am appalled at how the MTA thinks the public has the memory and comprehension of a gnat. The MTA continues to beat the party drum, saying “When the union workers are ready to compromise and talk, we are here.” That is ridiculous. It is also untrue, because the unions have followed the rules, agreed to compromise and been rebuffed at every attempt. I am reminded of my nine year old demanding dessert when that was conditioned on eating dinner – which still sits on the plate in front of him.

"The Unions' final offer is the most reasonable."  These are the closing words of Presidential Emergency Board 245.  PEB 245 was the LIRR effort at a do-over.

This outcome should be no surprise since the unions accepted wholly the recommendations of PEB 244 while the LIRR came to PEB 245 with an approach that prompted the new board to state, "The lack of notice and bargaining on substantial issues in the Carrier's final offer is of significant concern."

 Translated, this means the railroad tried to pull a fast one, throwing out four years of efforts and inserting new issues and terms into the negotiations.