The leaders of five Long Island Rail Road unions representing roughly half of the agency’s unionized workforce say contract talks with the MTA have stalled. The announcement comes eight days before the deadline for a strike, which would bring the nation’s largest commuter railroad to a screeching halt.

The two sides met for about five hours on Thursday at the LIRR’s offices in Jamaica, Queens. Union leaders say they were offered lump sum payments and other “gimmicks” in lieu of the wage increases the unions are requesting.

The unions and the MTA agree on 9.5% raises for the first three years of a four-year contract. But the fourth year is in dispute.

The unions are asking for 5% raises in year four. The MTA has offered 3% raises. Additionally, the MTA has offered 1.5% productivity pay in exchange for give-backs on certain work rules.

Regarding the negotiations, an MTA spokesperson said, “Discussions are ongoing and we continue to meet.”

The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Monday, May 11.