Overview
- Following Thursday’s 12‑hour session that ended without an agreement, negotiators plan to meet again Friday as the legal strike window opens at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
- The MTA says a $133.8 million package would deliver an effective 4.5% in year four through one‑time payments, while union leaders insist on a 5% raise that boosts base pay.
- Rail officials plan to wind down trains Friday and urge remote work, with limited weekday shuttle buses every 10 minutes at peak times from six Long Island stations to Jamaica or Howard Beach.
- Gov. Kathy Hochul urged both sides to find middle ground and warned against a deal that could raise fares or taxes, as MTA leaders cite budget risks from larger permanent increases.
- Tensions grew over an LIRR memo telling probationary employees to report during any strike, which unions called especially troubling and questioned as lawful, while a shutdown could disrupt 250,000–300,000 riders and weigh on the regional economy.