NEW YORK (WABC) — The MTA is getting ready for a possible strike as soon as September 18th by unionized Long Island Railroad workers as they fight for new contracts.<\/p>\n
Union workers are fighting for a 15 percent raise over three years.<\/p>\n
Transit officials plan to deploy buses to shuttle commuters to Queen Subway stations.<\/p>\n
Members of at least two unions involved in the ongoing contract negotiations are prepared to cast their ballots this week in support of a possible strike.<\/p>\n
Two other unions already approved a possible strike last month.<\/p>\n
The five organizations represent just under half of the LIRR’s roughly 7,000 union workers.<\/p>\n
They’ve rejected an offer already accepted by the majority of LIRR union workers, as well as MTA bus and subway employees, for a three-year contract with a total of 9.5% in wage increases.<\/p>\n
The work stoppage could be prevented if the union, MTA or Governor Hochul requests that the White House appoint an emergency board of mediators to oversee continued negotiations.<\/p>\n
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