In the Event of a Strike, There Better Be a Plan ~ Senator Avella Urges the Mta to Resume Talks WITH Lirr but Be Prepared in Event of Strike

(Queens, NY) Today, Senator Tony Avella is calling on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to come back to the table and continue negotiations in order to avoid a looming strike by the Long Island Rail Road workers as talks broke down yesterday and Congress seems unlikely to intervene.  

In the event that the impending strike goes forward, however, the MTA must have a comprehensible plan in place to ensure that additional buses are put on the streets of the 11^thSenatorial District, whose residents rely heavily on the LIRR for their daily commute. 

Senator Avella has reached out to the MTA Chairman and LIRR President on several occasions, urging them to come to a compromise and avoid the detrimental strike.  But with the impending strike less than two weeks away, it is time for the MTA to design a contingency plan.

“A disruption in service of this magnitude would be devastating to both our public and our economy,” stated Senator Tony Avella. “I am strongly urging the MTA to do the right thing and successfully negotiate with the Union to avoid the work stoppage. But should the strike occur, it is of the utmost importance that the MTA have a plan in place to ensure that commuters without a train  option have alternative modes of transportation. The time to prepare for a strike is not after it occurs. The time is now.”