MTA ad campaign promotes latest contract offer

Starting today, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will release its latest Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) contract offer to New Yorkers in newspaper and radio advertisements as part of the agency's efforts to pressure eight unions to accept a contract deal and avoid a labor strike at LIRR.

Talks between the two sides fell apart on Monday, with union leaders saying they are on track to launch a strike on July 20.

The ads note the MTA has offered raises of 17 percent to union employees.

"Current employees would get everything they asked for. Yet the unions are still threatening to strike. When is enough enough?" MTA officials say in the advertisements.

Earlier this week, the agency unveiled a contingency plan to help New Yorkers with their travel needs in the event of a strike. Details can be found on the agency's website.