July 4, 2014
By Stephanie West
Long Island, NY – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced that it intends to participate in talks with LIRR unions next Tuesday July 8th that have been scheduled by the National Mediation Board.
“We are eager to get back to the bargaining table through the National Mediation Board on Tuesday,” said Anita Miller, MTA Director of Labor Relations. “We are hoping the unions will come prepared to engage in substantive negotiations on our latest fair and generous proposal, which meets the demands of current LIRR employees by offering 17% raises, including $22,000 in average back pay.”
The LIRR unions would be permitted to initiate a labor stoppage as early as Sunday, July 20, under rules established by Presidential Emergency Board 245.
