Catherwood LibraryILR School

To avoid a potentially crippling strike, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has increased its pay raise offer to the Long Island Rail Road employees? union (LIRR). The latest offer includes wage increases by 17% over seven years with retroactive pay back to 2010. The latest offer also seeks concession in the amount employees pay toward health care. The MTA?s last offer included 11% in wage increases over six years. The two sides will meet again on Friday after the union has had a chance to review the latest agreement with their stakeholders. Although the MTA is doing everything it can to prevent a strike, the authority is also working to ensure that the 96,000 daily commuters who depend on it are not left high and dry should the coalition of unions reject this offer.