LIRR strike: Talks to continue as deadline looms

[hrmjustin]

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Negotiations aimed at avoiding a walkout at the nation's largest commuter railroad will continue to through the night and both sides will be available to each other and will resume face to face communications Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in Manhattan.

The talks had resumed Wednesday after a stalemate when Gov. Andrew Cuomo prodded both sides to find an agreement that would keep 300,000 daily riders from being forced to find alternate ways of getting in and out of New York City.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and unions representing 5,400 Long Island Rail Road employees began meeting at a Manhattan law firm Wednesday afternoon.

LIRR's chief negotiator Anthony Simon said there was "a lot of communication that went on today" and both sides will stay in communication overnight.

http://7online.com/traffic/lirr-strike-talks-to-continue-as-deadline-looms/191529/

[hrmjustin]

1. Commuters bracing for impact of looming LIRR strike

Kristin Thorne

For many commuters, there just aren't any viable alternatives if there is an LIRR strike.

More than 300,000 commuters go into and out of Manhattan every day, and a strike could have a profound impact.

One Long Island resident takes not one, but two LIRR trains, and a taxi every day to get to work. For him, a strike would be disastrous.

Jonas Elouidor of Bay Shore begins his day bright and early at 6 a.m. to get to his job as a chaffeur.

http://7online.com/traffic/commuters-bracing-for-impact-of-looming-lirr-strike/188313/