LIRR unions, MTA remain split over future pay as strike deadline of Saturday nears
NEW YORK (WABC) -- There is less than a week to go until hundreds of LIRR workers say they will go on strike, unless they get a new contract offer they deem acceptable.
Negotiations resume Monday, and LIRR riders say they're aware of the potential strike and how it could impact their commute next week.
LIRR workers and the MTA have been going back and forth over the contract. If there isn't an agreement, workers plan to strike on Saturday.
There was a rally held on Saturday in Massapequa.
The MTA and LIRR workers are not seeing eye to eye when it comes to raises. MTA officials say if they give LIRR workers what they're asking for, fares could increase by as much as 8%.
But labor leaders say that's not true and insist they are pushing for a fair wage.
So far, the MTA says both sides have agreed to retroactive raises. But the sticking point remains 2026: the union is asking for a 5% raise, while the MTA is offering 3% unless there are concessions.
MTA officials say to cover any extra costs, they may have to cut service, reduce jobs, or raise fares.
Eyewitness News spoke with LIRR riders about how a strike could impact them. They say tickets are already expensive.
"They want their wages to correspond with the cost of living and the cost of goods increase. Not saying they should chain it to the consumer price index," said Shaaya Ellis, an LIRR rider.
"We need a more sustainable solution to have government to fund the MTA so that the burden doesn't fall on the commuters. We cannot have a transportation system where the majority of the price burden and the funding falls on ticket payers. It's not sustainable and it's not how other advanced transportation systems around the globe do it," said Deana Davoudiasl, an LIRR rider.
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.
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