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Negotiations between the Long Island Rail Road workers' unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) are set to resume today in an effort to avert a strike that could begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. The talks ended Thursday night without a resolution, with the unions pushing for higher pay and the MTA warning of potential fare hikes for riders if demands are met.
The dispute involves five unions representing 3,500 engineers, signalmen, and trainmen. They have threatened to strike if an agreement is not reached. The last LIRR strike occurred in 1994 and lasted two days. According to the New York Post, nearly 300,000 commuters could be affected by the strike.
The main point of contention is the pay raise for the fourth year of the contract. While the MTA has offered retroactive raises of 3% for 2023 and 2024, and 3.5% for 2025, the unions are demanding a 5% raise for 2026 to keep up with inflation. The MTA has proposed lump-sum payments instead, which the unions argue do not increase base pay. AM New York reports that MTA labor counsel Gary Dellaverson stated the agency has put all requested funds on the table, but union leaders have labeled the offer a "gimmick."
Governor Kathy Hochul has advised commuters to work from home if possible, should the strike occur. She emphasized the need for a deal that is fair to both taxpayers and commuters. News 12 Long Island reports that the MTA and unions are hopeful for an agreement in the coming hours, but a strike is imminent if negotiations fail.
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