Postponed MTA, union negotiations increase risk of LIRR worker strike
Gerry Bringmann, the chairman of the LIRR Commuters Council, was at the joint committee meeting, and said the new date for talks has yet to be determined.
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The Long Island Rail Road bargaining session scheduled for Monday between the MTA and labor union representatives before the National Mediation Board has been postponed.
Gerry Bringmann, the chairman of the LIRR Commuters Council, was at the joint committee meeting, and said the new date for talks has yet to be determined.
"We're waiting for confirmation as to when that rescheduling will be taking place, and we're ready, willing and able to discuss with them to resolve this," said LIRR president Rob Free at the committee meeting. "We absolutely don't want a strike."
The LIRR and MTA are continuing to review and modify contingency plans in the event of a strike, though officials say they are not prepared to announce any service changes at this time.
While the deadline nears, questions remain over how to fund potential LIRR worker raises.
As previously reported by News 12, MTA management has offered what it considers a fair contract, but unions are still pushing for a 14.5% pay increase over four years, something they say the MTA has enough money for.
The MTA is offering 12.5% over four years - plus an extra 1.5% in exchange for concessions on certain work rules.
The two sides have reached an agreement on pay raises for the contract’s first three years but remain at odds over the fourth.
The latest Presidential Emergency Board overseeing the negotiations agree the final union offer is reasonable.
"The reality is this, we raise fares 4% every two years; just rough math," said MTA Board Member Neal Zuckerman "That's 2% a year, roughly. Any time anyone wants to be paid more than 2% a year, someone's got to pay to cover that. That's got to come out of somewhere."
MTA management has proposed modifying certain work rules in exchange for higher wages, a proposal unions have opposed. One disputed rule would allow engineers to receive an extra day’s pay if they operate two different types of trains during the same shift.
Union leaders say they are awaiting a new offer from the MTA.
The deadline to reach a deal is May 16.
