Five unions representing nearly half all LIRR workers could be weeks away from a strike, unless the White House intervenes in their ongoing contract impasse with railroad management, union officials said.

In a letter to members, the heads of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Transportation Communications Union, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said the National Mediation Board ruled Wednesday that the unions and LIRR management "have been unable to reach a voluntary settlement," and have been invited to enter into binding arbitration.

The union leaders wrote in the letter dated Thursday that they intend to reject the board’s offer, triggering a federally mandate

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