Long Island prepares for an LIRR strike

LIRR riders board a train during rush hour at Penn Station on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. The MTA and the LIRR unions are preparing for a strike that could begin at 12:01 a.m. on July 20.

An information board at Penn Station on Friday, July 11, 2014, alerts riders about alternate travel options in case of a July 20 strike by LIRR union members.

The lead negotiator for LIRR unions, Anthony Simon, left, walks in Manhattan with union representative Jim Snyder on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, as formal negotiations with the MTA ended for the day. Both sides planned to maintain informal contact overnight, with in-person talks resuming the next morning.

LIRR riders wait on a platform during rush hour at Penn Station on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. The MTA and the LIRR unions are preparing for a strike that could begin at 12:01 a.m. on July 20.

The lead negotiator for LIRR unions, Anthony Simon, center, addresses reporters on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, in Manhattan after formal negotiations with the MTA ended for the day. At right is Dean Devita, secretary-treasurer of the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, a district of SEIU 32BJ.

Commuters look at information boards during rush hour at Penn Station on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, days ahead of a possible LIRR strike. About 145,000 riders use the LIRR on a weekday, according to officials.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO and chairman Thomas Prendergast, center, arrives for negotiations with LIRR union representatives in Manhattan on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.

An information board at Penn Station on Friday, July 11, 2014, alerts riders about alternate travel options in case of a July 20 strike by LIRR union members.

The lead negotiator for LIRR unions, Anthony Simon, addresses reporters on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, in Manhattan after formal negotiations with the MTA ended for the day. He's accompanied by union representatives, from left, Ricardo Sanchez, Dean Devita, Christopher Natale and Jim Snyder, right.

LIRR riders board a train at Penn Station on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, days ahead of a possible LIRR strike. About 145,000 riders use the LIRR on a weekday, according to officials.

The lead negotiator for LIRR unions, Anthony Simon, addresses reporters on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, in Manhattan as formal negotiations with the MTA resume. At right is Dean Devita, secretary-treasurer of the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, a district of SEIU 32BJ.

Commuters during rush hour at Penn Station on Tuesday, July 15, 2014.

Strike captains met at IBEW Local 589 headquarters in Patchogue on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, to discuss strategy and pick up signs that would be used in the event of a strike against the Long Island Rail Road. The union represents electricians of the LIRR, including Dennis Rindone of Middle Island, left, Kris Bittner of Bayville and William Santiago of East Islip.

Strike captains met at IBEW Local 589 headquarters in Patchogue on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, to discuss strategy and pick up signs that would be used in the event of a strike against the Long Island Rail Road. The union represents electricians at the LIRR.

Strike captains met at IBEW Local 589 headquarters in Patchogue on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, to discuss strategy and pick up signs that would be used in the event of a strike against the Long Island Rail Road. The union represents electricians at the LIRR, including Dennis Rindone of Middle Island, right, followed by Kris Bittner of Bayville.

Long Island Rail Road chief union negotiator Anthony Simon walks away from microphones after making stern comments after he announced that LIRR union talks with the MTA had broken down Monday, July 14, 2014, in Manhattan.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman Thomas Prendergast speaks briefly on July 14, 2014, during negotiations with LIRR union representatives in Manhattan.

An information board at Penn Station on Friday, July 11, 2014, alerts riders about alternate travel options in case of a July 20 strike by LIRR union members.

Photo of parking field 2 at Alfred E. Smith / Sunken Meadow State Park on the afternoon of June 19, 2014. If LIRR workers go on strike, MTA contingency plans will set up carpool parking lots in this park.

The parking lot at the LIRR station in Ronkonkoma, July 9 2014. This lot would serve as a shuttle bus lot in the event of a strike.

Bill Schoolman, owner and CEO of 7BUS, the Long Island-to-New York bus company, plans on offering expanded service in the event of an LIRR strike later this month.

Glen Cove Mayor Reginald Spinello proposed the Seastreak 500-person ferry service docking at the Garvies Point Landing Dock as a contingency plan to the looming LIRR strike on Monday, July 14, 2014 Glen Cove.

The Seastreak 500-person ferry service docking at the Garvies Point Landing Dock was proposed as a contingency plan to the looming LIRR strike on Monday, July 14, 2014 Glen Cove.

A sign for the North HIlls shuttle is pictured in front of North Hills Village Hall, Monday, July 14, 2014. Twelve parking spots were added to the shuttle parking lot, which commuters can use in the event of an LIRR strike.

Nassau County Legis. Dave Denenberg speaks with Amanda Della Regione, of Wantagh, as he is providing Long Islanders with information about carpooling and other options in the event of an LIRR strike at the Bellmore train station on Monday, July 14, 2014.

Commuters and travelers walk through the Long Island Rail Road corridor at Penn Station in Manhattan on June 18, 2014. Starting Sunday, some 35,000 LIRR commuters could begin feeling the inconvenience and financial impact of an LIRR strike.

Andrew Davis, 31, a sheet metal worker from Seaford, speaks on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, about how the event of a strike would affect his commute to Manhattan. He typically leaves the Seaford station at 3:55 a.m. to ensure he gets to the city by 6. Davis plans to drive if there is a strike, but says it would be costly because of gas and parking fees.

Barbara Leavitt, 26, of Wantagh, waits at the LIRR station in Seaford on Tuesday, July 15, 2014.

Adam Zimmer, a taxi driver from Greenlawn, speaks about his views on the pending Long Island Rail Road strike while at the LIRR Huntington Station, on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. He says the strike would reduce the number of fare rides from the station because people coming off the train usually take cabs to get home or other places.

Cynthia Reitman, a photographer from Great Neck shown at Huntington Station on Tuesday, July 14, 2014, says she's doesn't know how she would get to her job at Huntington Hospital if a strike occurs.

Mike Flammer, co-owner of Maritime Surf Shop in Long Beach, at his shop, July 10, 2014. Mike is fearful that Long Beach, a community driven by its tourism and summer business, will take a significant hit should the LIRR strike go forward.

Sethi Singh, owner of Floral Station Delicatessen in Floral Park, says on July 10, 2014 that he would feel a financial impact if the LIRR would strike, because his business is across the street to the Floral Park station.

Rob Buschor, who is from Wading River and works in the Tribeca, stands near his office on Monday, July 14, 2014. With an LIRR strike looming, Buschor plans to telecommute at least in the early part of a strike if there is one.

Inside the kitchen of Station Plaza Coffee Shop & Dinner in Mineola, where the cooks are preparing meals for costumers, on July 10, 2014. The eatery says it would feel a potential financial impact if there is a LIRR strike.

Corey Witt, of Great Neck, a computer and systems analyst for Pace University, is shown at his office in New York City on Monday, July 14, 2014. Witt, like many Long Islanders will be affected by a strike of the LIRR. "It's unfortunate, a lot of people are put in a tough situation they are not in control over. The situation of how it affects Long Islanders is being undervalued by the parties involved," Witt said.

Andrew Freeman, 41, of Amityville, who has been taking trains since 1981, shares how a strike would affect his commute at the LIRR Seaford station on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. He commutes mostly to Bellmore and Seaford to visit friends, get a haircut or take a trip to the library. Freeman says he worries about having to take the bus because the motion can cause him to feel sick.

Laurel Cole, 22, of Queens, waits for her train at the Stony Brook LIRR Station in Stony Brook, July 15, 2014. The Stony Brook student takes the train once a week for a summer class.

Cirilo Umana, of Northport, speaks about his views on the pending Long Island Rail Road strike on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. He takes the train to his job in Port Jefferson every day. If there's a strike, Umaña said he and his wife would likely go without pay as long as it lasted.