Workers at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), which is the largest commuter railroad in the United States, initiated a strike early Saturday morning, affecting over 330,000 commuters looking for alternatives. The strike started at 12:01 a.m. and involved five unions representing around 3,700 workers, including ticket inspectors, locomotive engineers, signalmen, electricians, and machinists. This marked the fourth strike in the railroad’s history.
LIRR announced that service would be suspended until further notice and advised travelers to avoid unnecessary trips, suggesting remote work if possible. Shuttle bus services will be available during weekdays, but only for essential workers or those unable to work from home.
Kevin Sexton, the national vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Railroad Workers, commented that there’s no planned negotiation session. He expressed regret about the situation, saying, “We are far apart at this point.”
MTA President Jano Lieber stated that the authority had met the union’s demands regarding wages. However, he suggested that the union leaders seemed to be pushing for a strike from the start.
Prior to the strike, discussions between the union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) revolved around a new contract that proposed changes to work rules and included a 3% annual wage increase for three years. The primary contention surfaced over a fourth-year pay hike; the union was aiming for a 5% increase, while MTA officials warned they could not accommodate that and might have to raise fares.
Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the strike, calling it “reckless” and “unacceptable,” highlighting that commuters faced frustrating disruptions. She added that “thousands of union LIRR workers are being forced to report to work without pay” due to decisions made by a small group of union leaders. Hochul urged both sides to resume negotiations and expressed belief that a resolution was still achievable.
Adding to the tensions, there were claims that interference by the Trump administration had hindered mediation efforts, pushing the situation closer to a strike. Meanwhile, Mayor Zoran Mamdani stated his office is aiding in the coordination of emergency responses to the situation.
The history of LIRR strikes includes one in 1980 lasting two days, another in 1987 lasting 11 days, and a third in 1994 that also lasted two days.
