No deal to avert LIRR strike after MTA, unions meet for hours Thursday

There's been no deal to avert a Long Island Rail Road strike after hours of face-to-face meetings between the MTA and union leadership Thursday. 

Despite aggressive talks that lasted into the night, there was little movement toward a deal between the LIRR unions and MTA. 

"At this point, the parties are very far apart. But we look forward to meeting with them tomorrow, and we'll take it from there," said Kevin Sexton, VP of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

The coalition of five unions representing approximately half of the LIRR workforce has been threatening to start the strike at midnight Saturday without a deal. 

"We're gonna do everything in our power to reach an agreement, but I cannot guarantee that at this time," Sexton said. 

The sticking point in negotiations

MTA officials also said no deal was reached and talks would resume Friday.   

Both sides agreed on 9.5% raises for three years, but the fourth year has been the sticking point in these negotiations. The MTA offered 4.5% in the form of a lump sum payment, which the unions rejected as "a one-time gimmick." 

"There's not a single thing that the MTA has put on the table that anybody could refer to as a gimmick or a game," MTA Counsel Gary Dellaverson said. "We've utilized various methods of delivering more cash, more money, right, to the rank and file, to the workforce, that they can use and spend however it is that they wish to spend it."

The MTA reportedly sent out letters warning probationary workers they could be fired if they join a strike. The agency is barred from firing other union workers if a strike is legally sanctioned after negotiations are exhausted.     

A strike would bring LIRR service to a grinding halt, impacting some 300,000 riders and fans heading to Citi Field for the Subway Series this weekend.

Business owners near train stations said they're also bracing for losses if a strike occurs. 

Salary increases "are not sustainable"

Gerard Bringmann, the head of the Long Island Commuter Council, said he expects the stalemate to lead to a strike. 

"The reason that the MTA has to hold such a hard line is, there's a whole slew of contracts coming up for renewal," Bringmann said. "If the MTA gives in, then it's open season. Every union that's gonna come up for renegotiating their contracts, or negotiating their new contracts, they're gonna want what these guys got." 

The Long Island Commuter Council chairman said the salary increases the unions want "are not sustainable."

Bringmann added most commuters are sympathetic with the unions, but would happily take the 9.5% pay hike, since everyone's taking a hit from inflation. 

Even with MTA contingency plan, riders concerned

The MTA announced a contingency plan in case the strike happens, with shuttle buses running from five Long Island locations to the NYC subway in Queens. 

• Bay Shore (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
• Hempstead Lake State Park, near Lakeview (LIRR), to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
• Hicksville (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
• Huntington (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St F at Hillside Av and 179 St
• Mineola (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport A
• Ronkonkoma (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St F at Hillside Av and 179 St

Still, the plan isn't easing the concerns riders have. 

Ross Goldstein said he's expecting big problems if a full-scale strike goes into effect. 

"It's going to cause mass hysteria. I mean, everyone's going to be rushing around. It's going to be terrible," he said. "It's gonna be really tough."

Gabriella Mcaleer said she's preparing to work from home, because she doesn't want to deal with "gas, parking, you know, wear and tear on the car." 

David Shmechian, who works in the Garment District, doesn't have that luxury. 

"I guess the best bet is to drive to Queens and then take the subway and come to work," he said.