In its latest proposal to head off a strike on July 20, the MTA offered the LIRR unions a 17 percent raise over seven years. The authority’s previous proposal was 11 percent over six years. The unions are seeking a 17 percent raise over six years. The authority also proposed that current LIRR workers contribute 2 percent of their salaries to their health care, and that new hires contribute 4 percent. LIRR workers currently do not make any salary contribution to their health care. 

Simon said the unions are interested in extending the strike deadline to September to prevent work stoppage. “It’s reasonable, and it’s a compromise,” he said. “Let me say this: there is no way that we want to have a strike, and there is no way that the unions are not doing everything they can to prevent a strike.”