Over a dozen Long Island Railroad employees take home more than $200,000 a year just in overtime pay, which is quite shocking—almost on par with Governor Cathy Hochul’s entire salary.
Recent payroll data from the transportation department shows that many union members, currently striking and causing major disruptions for commuters, are drawing substantial funds from taxpayer resources.
In fact, over 325 workers at the Long Island Rail Road are making more than $100,000 annually in overtime, with 11 of those receiving even more than that. Pretty striking, right?
Ken Girardin, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, highlighted that a jaw-dropping 22% of LIRR’s labor costs come from overtime pay.
“I think it’s crucial for Governor Hochul to speak out and explain why the LIRR should hold its ground,” Girardin mentioned, referencing the ongoing contentious contract negotiations between the MTA and the unions representing LIRR’s workforce.
“She might start by addressing how LIRR allowed 11 employees to each rack up more than $200,000 in overtime last year, all thanks to an ineffective union contract,” Girardin noted. He added that LIRR workers are already the highest-paid transit employees in the country.
Some of the top earners in overtime at the LIRR are:
- Leonardo Espinosa, a supervisory foreman, made an astounding $244,954 in overtime, alongside a base salary of $129,483, totaling $396,749.
Just to put that in perspective, Hochul’s annual salary as governor of New York is $250,000—that makes her the de facto head of LIRR.
Interestingly, Espinosa was one of 30 employees accused of using a false ID system to avoid working while still collecting a paycheck, an allegation stemming from an investigation by the MTA’s Inspector General.
- Gang foreman Jeffrey Davis had a base salary of $130,291 plus $233,808 in overtime, adding up to $384,859.
- Steve Delacrozas, another gang foreman, took home $233,195 in overtime, for a total of $388,151 when combined with his base salary.
- Foreman Brian Turner earned a salary of $131,176, with $229,426 from overtime, for a total of $378,926.
- Gang foreman Larry Young made $227,999 in overtime, alongside a salary of $130,428, totaling $378,869.
- Utility worker Salvatore Lazzarino collected $222,185 in overtime, plus $100,306 in base salary, bringing his total to $326,480.
- Jose Rodriguez, another gang leader, earned $207,847 in overtime in addition to a base salary of $130,415, resulting in a total of $349,198.
- Yardmaster Peter Zoufaly made $206,954.32 in overtime and had a salary of $128,529.24 for a total of $336,010.
- Dwayne Freemantle, a gang foreman, had a base pay of $130,033 and $204,606 in overtime for a total of $349,278.
- Dallas Bazemore, a surface manager, earned $337,280.11, which included $202,890 in overtime and a base salary of $131,163.
- Athletics Director Lee Levine accrued $200,619.12 from overtime, added to his salary of $127,567.46 for a total of $329,335.
A couple of years ago, some reports highlighted overtime fraud within the LIRR, which led to several federal indictments and a sentencing for “OT King” Thomas Caputo, who received eight months in prison for his actions.
The Empire Public Policy Center has pointed out significant overtime issues across various transit systems in New York City, including subways and buses.
Girardin remarked, “It’s challenging to differentiate between what constitutes legal waste and what crosses into illegal territory.”
The union is seeking a retroactive 9.5% pay increase over the last three years, along with a 5% raise for the current year. Meanwhile, management appears to have only agreed to a 3% increase for this year, which when combined, would amount to 4.5%.
MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan commented that they are pushing for labor regulation changes but noted that the unions have yet to engage in those discussions meaningfully.
Governor Hochul’s office chose not to respond to the overtime concerns while the critical commuter service remained inactive for a second consecutive day.
Kyle Strauber, executive director of the Association for a Better Long Island, cautioned that any agreements made should be sustainable. He highlighted that dramatic changes could adversely affect the local economy, impacting fares, payroll taxes, and congestion tolls.
“This could lead to more people leaving New York,” he added.
MTA officials noted that the LIRR is their most heavily subsidized project, receiving more operating budget support from subsidies and taxes than any other service, including city subways and buses.
Officials believe the need to pay this much overtime stems from current work regulations unique to the LIRR.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman called for a pause on the $9 congestion fee for vehicles entering central Manhattan during the strike, but Hochul countered that there’s no legal basis to carry that out.
