Talks resuming Thursday in Long Island rail labor dispute

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

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MINEOLA — Talks aimed at averting a strike at the nation’s largest commuter railroad are continuing.

A Long Island Rail Road spokesman says the agency and union leaders will resume face-to-face negotiations Thursday after an all-day session Wednesday.

The unions say they’re reviewing developments out of the session and are maintaining contact with the railroad’s negotiators via teleconference.

The sides resumed talks at Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s urging after a two-day impasse over whether future employees would have to contribute to health and pension plans.

The unions have said their 5,400 members will walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. Sunday if they do not get a deal. They’ve been without a contract since 2010.

A strike would force 300,000 daily riders to find alternate ways in and out of New York City.