A coalition of unions representing about half of Long Island Rail Road employees has averted a strike -- for now -- by asking President Donald Trump to establish an emergency board. Service will continue on the busiest commuter railroad in North America while this emergency board process is underway. A strike could occur next May if a compromise with the MTA isn't reached. The news comes after the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced on Monday that 99.9% of its 529 active LIRR union members voted to authorize a strike. The coalition of unions, however, agreed to formally request Trump to establish an emergency board to attempt to resolve the issues between the union and the LIRR and come to a new contract, staving off a potential strike that would have begun Thursday.

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