Railroad staff’ unions and MTA to renew talks as LIRR strike risk looms on Could 16

NEW YORK (WABC) — LIRR union staff rallied on the Massapequa LIRR Station Saturday forward of extra contract negotiation talks with the MTA in Jamaica.

“We’re happy that administration is coming to the desk. There was no sense of urgency. Till this week’s contract talks, aside from one assembly on March 20, there hadn’t been negotiations since August of 2025, regardless of the labor coalition’s requests,” union management stated.

The union representing LIRR staff is pushing for increased pay, however MTA leaders warn that agreeing to these calls for may set off vital fare hikes.

The MTA says if a strike occurs, it would roll out a contingency plan that features shuttle buses to assist transfer riders.

5 unions representing 3,500 staff, together with engineers, signalmen and trainmen, are threatening to strike on Could 16.

The unions and LIRR have agreed to a retroactive 9.5% wage improve protecting the final three years. However, the sticking level stays an extra 5% elevate the employees need starting this yr.

The MTA says that is too excessive. The MTA has additionally pushed again about a few of the profitable penalty pay staff obtain when tasked with sure jobs throughout a shift.

MTA officers say if they offer LIRR staff what they’re asking for, it may lead to a fare hike as excessive as 8%.

Greater than 1 / 4 million individuals trip the LIRR every day, and if there’s a strike, the MTA would run free shuttle bus service from a restricted variety of LIRR stations: Lakeview, Hicksville, Ronkonkoma, Mineola, and Huntington bringing riders to a subway station.

For riders, the primary strike in many years could be daunting, however most say they’d navigate by it.

White Home-appointed mediators say there isn’t a indication the MTA can not afford the proposed will increase.

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