Talks raise hopes of progress in strike at America’s busiest commuter railroad | CNN Business

New Yorkers were dealt travel headaches Monday, as service on the vital Long Island Rail Road remains suspended because of a historic strike, although there is reason to hope that the strike could be a short one. “It’s much more promising today than it was yesterday,” James Louis, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, told CNN about the state of the talks Monday. The BLET is one of five unions with members on strike. The strike started early Saturday after 11th-hour talks to avert the walkout failed. Talks between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the railway, and unions representing railroad workers resumed Sunday afternoon and then took a break. Janno Lieber, CEO of the MTA, also said progress was being made towards a deal. “I am cautiously optimistic,” he told CNN affiliate WABC-7 news. “The talks yesterday were productive. The folks are working hard. We are headed in a positive direction, but we have to get it finished.” Talks were ongoing at 8 p.m. ET on Monday night. However, even if a deal is not reached on Monday night, the MTA said that there will not be enough time for the railroad to restart operations for the Tuesda