Hochul urges unions to come back to table, outlines contingencies

At a Sunday morning press conference, Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber both noted that the MTA is ready to re-start negotiations, which broke off Friday night without an agreement. 

She sent a direct message to unions, urging them to come back to the table. 

“You’re invited back in. OK?" said Hochul. "Here’s my official invitation.”

So far, no talks are scheduled between the MTA and LIRR.

She encouraged businesses to allow workers who depend on the LIRR to work from home, saying “we hope to have a very shortened strike.”

She added, “These are hard-working people who show up every day in all kinds of conditions,” but said they’re losing pay every day they are on strike.