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Report: LIRR Talks To Resume Monday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Negotiations aimed at avoiding a Long Island Rail Road strike are reportedly set to resume Monday.

A union source told Newsday talks between Metropolitan Transportation Authority management and LIRR labor unions will be held Monday, although the MTA would not confirm that to WCBS 880 on Sunday.

As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, the two sides will have less than a week to hammer out an agreement before Sunday's threatened strike deadline.

Report: LIRR Talks To Resume Monday

Talks over the weekend were reportedly informal.

The union wants 17 percent raises over six years, a plan backed by two White House mediation panels. The MTA is offering 17 percent raises over seven years and wants new employees to contribute to pension and health care costs.

The agency has released its contingency plans of shuttle buses, ferries and park-and-rides to accommodate hundreds of thousands of commuters.

The last formal talks between the two sides were held Thursday.

MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast said those discussions were useful.

"They came in and made a formal counteroffer, which was discussed," he said. "We've got more discussions to have with them. We're all concerned to try to reach resolution with this particular issue and we will continue to discuss it."

"I think everybody in that room has the same intent right now to make sure we can prevent the strike," said Anthony Simon with the United Transportation Union.

The latest round of negotiations began after members of Congress refused to intervene.

The railroad's unions have been working without a contract since 2010.

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