Overview

• At least two unions began strike-ballot voting this week and two others have already authorized a walkout, with five groups representing just under half of LIRR’s roughly 7,000 union workers involved.
• Federal mediators say a voluntary settlement is out of reach, allowing a work stoppage as early as Sept. 18 unless a Presidential Emergency Board is requested.
• BLET’s national president said his union will not ask the White House to intervene, and no public request has been made by the MTA or Gov. Kathy Hochul.
• Contingency steps include limited shuttle buses from LIRR stations to Queens subway hubs, coordination with New York City on traffic and drop-offs, rider alerts, and discussions of partial credits for monthly ticket holders.
• The engineers’ union set a Sept. 15 ballot deadline, and MTA officials argue LIRR employees are already among the highest paid in U.S. rail, citing hourly rates and overtime-inflated earnings.