The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Wednesday that it is optimistic that a deal can be reached with five Long Island Rail Road unions before Saturday’s strike deadline.
At a press conference, Gary Dellaverson, MTA labor negotiator, said that the agency had made an offer of $134 million to prevent the first LIRR strike since 1994, when workers struck for two days. But that figure includes a lump sum payment,which some union members object, saying that the payments wouldn’t become a permanent part of their contracts.
Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul urged both sides to find a solution to prevent a disruption of service for thousands of Long Island commuters who rely on trains to reach their jobs in New York City…