Report: Many LIRR Workers Making Six-Figure Salaries
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Working on the railroad pays, according to a new report.
As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported Friday, Long Island Rail Road workers' salaries are going up -- 27 percent just last year.
The Empire Center for Public Policy report said the average LIRR worker pulled in $106,000 and 130 employees earned more than $200,000, while riders struggle with rising fares.
"Way too excessive for the type of work that they are doing," said one rider.
"I mean, I wish I could make three figures and I'm an attorney," said another rider.
"That's a lot. That's ridiculous," another rider said.
Raking in salaries in the mid-$200,000s are positions ranging from track foreman, repairmen, signal inspectors, and yard masters.
The MTA called the report flawed because salaries reflect last year's union settlements -- one-time only payments for work they had done years earlier, Gusoff reported.
But take away the average retroactive pay -- $17,919 -- and you still have railroad workers making upwards of $225,000, Gusoff reported.
"The highest paid MTA employees, in fact, are mainly not the brass. Most of the people among the highest paid MTA employees are the blue-collar workers," said E.J. McMahon, president of the Empire Center for Public Policy.
So what about the railroad's top brass? Top salaries range in the mid-$300,000 to $400,000 range, Gusoff reported.
"Who makes that kind of money?" asked one woman.
"Corporate America of large organizations really get that kind of money," said another rider.
Among the highest paid union workers is the MTA Police.
"We are charged with protecting major transportation facilities and we have to be there. There is no other way to do it aside from hiring police officers on a straight time basis," said MTA Police PBA President Michael O'Meara.
According to the report, 66 MTA workers earned more than $100,000 in overtime due to work rule restrictions.
So is the public getting ripped off?
"We give the public the data and say you decide," said McMahon.
Top salaries also went to Metro-North workers. One machinist earned over $300,000 including overtime, according to the report.