LIRR strike halts busiest commuter rail in US; Negotiations fail over wage increases
NEW YORK - Thousands of Long Island Railroad workers from five separate unions began a strike on Saturday, after weeks of negotiations failed to materialize into a new labor contract.
Now the country's busiest commuter rail has ground to a halt, impacting hundreds of thousands of daily riders.
LIRR strike begins
What we know:
Approximately 3,500 LIRR workers began the strike at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 16. A coalition of five unions representing the workers were at the negotiating table up until Friday night's deadline, but ultimately walked away without a deal.
Ultimately, the talks broke down over the proposed fourth deal of a new contract. The unions say they want a 5% raise in the final year. The MTA is offering 3% plus additional lump sum payments, making it, in effect, a 4.5% raise. The MTA says going any higher would mean raising fares by as much as 8% next year, or cutting service.
Where the two sides stand
What they're saying:
Jim Louis was one of the people at the negotiating table for the unions late into the night Friday.
Louis told FOX 5 NY's Stephanie Bertini that "We thought we were going to have something," but shortly before the deadline, Louis claimed MTA negotiators "wanted to throw in new items that were never discussed during any type of the negotiations regarding healthcare and that blew everything off the table."
In a statement Saturday, union leaders blamed the MTA for the strike.
"Plain and simple, the unions were working toward a settlement. This was a management-provoked strike," said Shaun O’Connor, General Chairman IAM District 19.
The other side:
Late Friday night, MTA CEO Janno Lieber said that the deal the unions were working toward would "implode the MTA's budget."
In another statement, Lieber said that "we refuse to make a deal that puts it on riders and taxpayers to fund outsized wage increases."
What Hochul is saying
Gov. Kathy Hochul called the decision to strike "reckless," and their contract demands "unacceptable."
"These unions are demanding contracts that could raise fares as much as 8%, pit workers against one another, and risk tax hikes for Long Islanders," Hochul said.
Hochul also blamed the Trump administration for cutting mediation short and pushing negotiations toward a strike.
TROY, NY - APRIL 14: Gov. Kathy Hochul holds a news conference during a tour of the new Sol Apartments building on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, on 5th Ave. in Troy, N.Y. Sol Apartments is a mixed-income housing project that the governor highlighted as pa
On Saturday, Trump responded to Hochul in a Truth Social post, saying he had "nothing to do with" the strike.
"No, Kathy, it’s your fault, and now looking over the facts, you should not have allowed this to happen," Trump wrote. "If you can’t solve it, let me know, and I’ll show you how to properly get things done."
Hochul followed up by saying that "This LIRR strike was only possible because the Trump administration authorized it last fall. Before that, a strike could not happen."
What Mamdani is saying
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani said City Hall and agencies across his administration are monitoring the negotiations and coordinating contingency efforts.
"New Yorkers should prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic, crowded transit options and additional travel time," Mamdani said.
Mamdani said the MTA has announced limited weekday bus service for essential workers and others who cannot telecommute.
He encouraged New Yorkers to stay informed, plan ahead and check for updates and travel guidance as more information becomes available.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 02: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn on January 02, 2026 in New York City. The newly inaugurated mayor has revoked a number of executive orders issued by former New York City Mayor
MTA shuttle buses available during strike
What you can do:
If the strike continues into the week, the MTA will offer free shuttle buses during peak hours for essential workers and people who can't work from home. MTA officials are advising everyone to work from home if possible.
The buses will run from Long Island to Manhattan from 4:30 to 9 a.m. and in the opposite direction from 3 to 7 p.m. The shuttles will serve six stops on Long Island and two subway transfers in Queens.
More information about the MTA's shuttle buses can be found on the MTA's website here.
What's next:
Hochul is urging the MTA and unions to return to the bargaining table.
Commuters are being told to monitor MTA updates, allow extra travel time and consider working from home if possible.
The Source: This article was written using information from Gov. Kathy Hochul, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the MTA and FOX 5 NY reporting.