Back-to-back, marathon labor negotiations are happening upstairs on the 16th floor of MTA headquarters Friday, John McCarthy, its chief of policy and external relations, told Newsday as he walked into the building.

At 9 a.m. talks began with the Transport Workers Union, whose contract is just lapsing.

At 11 a.m., he said, they will resume the most imminently consequential talks — with the five Long Island Rail Road unions threatening to strike beginning at midnight unless a deal is reached.

Helming them both is Gary Dellaverson, a veteran lawyer and MTA finance official who retired from the agency but has been brought back to lead the negotiations on its behalf.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson recap the the state championships in baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, plus Jared Valuzzi has the plays of the week. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas, Thomas A. Ferrara

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 38: State champions On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson recap the the state championships in baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, plus Jared Valuzzi has the plays of the week.

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