LIRR strike possibility increasing, service could be suspended as early as Sept 18

As we get closer and closer to the possibility of an LIRR strike, the LIRR has been ramping up it's efforts to prepare for a strike.

The LIRR claims the unions haven't been cooperative, outright rejecting offers. Federal mediators have said that a voluntary settlement cannot be achieved, therefore, unless someone appoints the "Presidential Emergency Board of mediators" then the chances of a strike are high.  

John McCarthy, head of chief policy and external relations at the MTA has said that they've requested a 16% raise over 3 years. While the MTA seams to think that's unreasonable, Kevin Sexton, who's president of the locomotive engineers union says that his organizations demands are "exceedingly reasonable". I'm personally in favor of the raise, since, while MTA employees are some of the highest paying in the nation, they also face the highest cost of living, too. 

Working from home

The LIRR's strike congruency plan consists of a mix of shuttle busses and ferries, specifically aimed for those who can't work from home. They've said that many of the shuttle busses will go to/from Queens, and given the last plan that was announced for the supposed-to-be 2014 strike, the possible shutte routes could be:

• Ronkonkoma (to Mets-Willets Point subway station)
• Deer Park (to Mets-Willets Point subway station)
• Manhasset (to Mets-Willets Point subway station)
• Hicksville (to Woodhaven Boulevard subway station)
• Seaford (to Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway station)
• Bellmore (to Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway station)
• Freeport (to Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway station)
• Nassau Community College (to Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway station)

For now, we'll have to see what happens. It's anyone's guess what will come of this.