"Leaders of the coalition of five unions, representing 3,500 LIRR workers, said on Friday that talks are at a standstill after a meeting with MTA brass on May 7 went nowhere. Union reps said that at the May 7 meeting at LIRR headquarters in Jamaica, Queens, MTA officials offered them one-time lump sum payments and other gimmicks, rather than the annual raises they are seeking. What was presented did not move us closer to a settlement, Jeff Klein, general chairman of IBEW Local 589, said in a statement."
"Every day, as a result of MTA's phony surface bargaining, we move closer to the May 16 strike date. The next sit-down with MTA honchos is scheduled for Monday, May 11, they said just four days before they have threatened to walk off the job on Saturday, May 16. The coalition has planned a rally at the Massapequa LIRR Station for 10 a.m. this Saturday, May 9."
"MTA chair says LIRR unions would be crazy' to strike MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, during an unrelated news conference, said he believes progress has been made following Thursday's meeting. At the same time, he emphasized that a strike would be crazy. He said the action would essentially cancel out the raises workers are fighting for due to the amount they would lose in wages for each day off the job."
"It's their turn to come back and respond to the new proposals that have been put on the table, Lieber said of the unions. It's time for everybody to get serious about the fact that if you go on strike"
Leaders of five unions representing 3,500 LIRR workers walked away from contract talks, saying negotiations are at a standstill after a May 7 meeting at LIRR headquarters in Jamaica, Queens. Union representatives said MTA officials offered one-time lump sum payments and other proposals instead of the annual raises they are seeking. Union leaders warned that continued bargaining without meaningful movement brings workers closer to a May 16 strike date. A rally is planned for May 9 at Massapequa LIRR Station, and another meeting is scheduled for May 11. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said progress has been made and characterized a strike as “crazy,” arguing that lost wages would cancel out the raises workers want.
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