LIRR unions, MTA to resume talks Monday morning | Live updates

Mere days remain until hundreds of LIRR workers say they will go on strike -- unless they get a new contract offer they deem acceptable.

Nearly 300,000 commuters would be left scrambling if the LIRR were to pause operations.

The MTA and unions representing LIRR workers have reached a preliminary deal, and the two sides are meeting again today.

Jaysha Patel has the latest.

MTA management says both sides have agreed to retroactive raises, but the sticking point remains for 2026: the union is asking for 5%, while the MTA is offering just 3%.

The MTA says it submitted a proposal during Monday's meeting, it's unknown whether or not their proposal met the union's demand.

MTA officials claim that, to cover extra costs, they may have to cut service, reduce jobs or even hike fares up to 8% next year.

Labor leaders say that's just not true.

If a strike happens on Saturday, May 16, MTA officials say they have a contingency plan in place, which includes shuttle buses for LIRR riders.

Negotiations between the MTA and LIRR unions have ended for the day on Monday.

The next face-to-face talks are set for Wednesday.

The coalition of five rail unions is made up of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Transportation Communications Union.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was asked about the potential LIRR strike at an event on Monday morning.

She said a "strike could be terrible for everyone involved, full stop."

"That is why my team and I have been immersed in the details of what the asks are, what can be afforded, what sets the pattern for other unions, right? That you got to look at the whole picture."

Hochul said she has been getting daily briefings and she is encouraging both sides to get back to the negotiating table.

"I think there's some conversations going on, perhaps even now, and I'm involved, and I want to say that we do not want to strike," she said. "We just want to make sure that New York is affordable for everyone, to make sure we, as they negotiate, they get the deal that's going to prevent a strike, I'm committed to that, we're working hard on this."

The contract talks scheduled between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the coalition of five Long Island Rail Road unions will resume Monday afternoon in Bethpage.

The unions say despite a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m., Saturday May 16, the MTA has shown no sense of urgency.

"It's clear that the MTA's strategy up until now - if you can call it that -- is to deflect, distort, dither and denigrate. The May 16 strike date is approaching. It's time for management to get serious about negotiating wages," said Michael Sullivan, General Chairman --BRS.