The New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) asked Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) unions to resume talks Wednesday. That's because a planned strike is just four days away.

The commuter railway is used by New York suburb dwellers on Long Island who commute into New York City every day. It is used by about 300,000 daily commuters.

"We have asked the LIRR unions to resume negotiations immediately," the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said in a statement.

"A strike would disrupt families and business across the New York metropolitan region and the only way to prevent a strike is for both sides to negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement at the bargaining table," the statement said.

The unions for the Long Island Rail Road haven't yet resumed talks but were discussing MTA's request according to Mary Ann Bartolozzi, a spokeswoman for the United Transportation Union.

The unions are in disagreement with the benefits and compensation package that MTA is offering.

The unions for the LIRR don't think that new employees should have to contribute to their health care and pensions.

"Make no mistake - working for the LIRR is a good job," MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg said Tuesday. "You pay nothing for your health plan and you get two pensions. We're offering them a 17 percent raise, a very modest two percent contribution to paying for health care. For new employees, you pay four percent to health care and you'd have to contribute to your pension for your whole career, not just the first 10 years."

The unions have rejected the MTA's offer saying that it would be unfair for the new workers to have to contribute to their pensions and health care while the existing employees don't have to. 

The unions have been without a contract since 2010. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is urging both sides to negotiate and get the dispute solved.

"We must do everything we can to prevent Long Islanders from being held hostage by a strike," Cuomo said.

"The Long Island Rail Road is a critical transportation system for Long Island and New York City," he said. "Both the MTA and the LIRR unions need to put the interests of New Yorkers first by returning to the table today and working continuously to avoid a strike."

Wednesday morning the MTA put out attack ads on the radio and in newspapers.

"They make almost $90,000 a year, get free healthcare and generous pensions," the radio ad says. "The MTA offered to up their salary 17 percent." 

The unions were angered by the ads and said that the ads were a waste of money and said the money should have been used in the negotiations instead.

Riders are getting restless and hoping the LIRR unions and MTA come to an agreement. If a shutdown occurs, it could begin as early as Sunday when the strike is set to begin.

Options for commuters in the event of a shutdown could include shuttle buses, ferries and car pools. Officials are asking for workers to telecommute if their jobs allow them to.

United Transportation Union President Anthony Simon is not confident about the situation. 

The eight unions representing LIRR workers said it is readying its members for the strike that would begin Sunday at 12:01 a.m.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is planning to still take his 10-day vacation to Italy this Friday even though the strike is looming. He has been criticized for that decision.