MINEOLA, N.Y. (PIX11) — Long Island Rail Road commuters could soon be facing a potential workers' strike, and a fare hike threatens to upend travel plans and stretch household budgets.

Nearly half of LIRR’s workforce could walk off the job as early as Sept. 18 after nearly three years without a raise. They appear poised to reject a proposed 9.5% pay increase.

It is a deal the MTA says has already been accepted by other well-compensated union workers. If a strike moves forward, the railroad could grind to a halt, impacting many thousands of daily riders.

“A strike would be devastating to our local economy, to the railroad, and to our commuters,” warned State Senator Steve Rhoads, one of several Long Island Republican lawmakers speaking out in Mineola on Friday.

The group urged labor and

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