Overview

• Five LIRR unions can legally walk out as early as Sept. 18 after the National Mediation Board ended mediation in August.
• The MTA’s offer totals about 9.5% in wage increases over three years, while the unions say they have reduced demands and now peg the remaining gap at less than 1% per year.
• Gov. Kathy Hochul urged renewed bargaining and asked Long Island Republicans Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino to intervene as she faulted the White House for the mediation outcome.
• Union leaders say they will not request a Presidential Emergency Board to delay a strike, and Hochul has not said whether she will seek one.
• The MTA plans limited shuttle buses to Queens subway hubs and employer outreach for remote work, and the BLET strike-authorization vote is underway with results expected Monday.