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Hundreds of Lengthy Island Rail Highway employees are formally on strike as of midnight Saturday, successfully shutting down the nation’s busiest commuter railroad in its first strike in additional than three many years and threatening main financial disruption throughout the New York area forward of Memorial Day journey.
The strike halted service for roughly 300,000 each day riders after last-minute contract negotiations between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a coalition of 5 rail unions failed to provide a wage settlement.
The MTA confirmed Saturday that every one LIRR service was suspended and warned there may be “no substitute” for the railroad, urging commuters to work remotely if doable as officers brace for extreme congestion and delays all through the metropolitan area.
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s workplace estimated the strike may price the regional economic system as much as $61 million per day in misplaced financial exercise, as commuters scramble for options and companies put together for disruptions.
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Lengthy Island Rail Highway (LIRR) employees picket outdoors of Penn Station in New York, US, on Saturday, Might 16, 2026. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
The labor motion marks the primary Lengthy Island Rail Highway strike since 1994. Union leaders mentioned employees concerned within the coalition have gone greater than three years with out raises whereas negotiating a brand new labor settlement.
“This strike wouldn’t have occurred if the MTA and LIRR supplied our members the affordable phrases the federal government beneficial a number of instances. However administration refused,” Mark Wallace, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Teamsters Rail Convention, mentioned in an announcement.
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“We hope LIRR will get critical quickly to keep away from additional pointless disruptions for tons of of 1000’s of New Yorkers. They know the place to search out us once they’re prepared: on the streets.”
MTA officers defended their bargaining place, arguing the unions have been demanding wage will increase that might in the end drive up fares and pressure the transit system’s funds.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber mentioned the company “can’t responsibly make a deal that implodes MTA’s finances” and warned taxpayers and riders may in the end bear the price of bigger wage will increase.
An indication displaying the suspension of Lengthy Island Rail Highway (LIRR) service resulting from a strike, at Nostrand Avenue station within the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Saturday, Might 16, 2026. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
Lieber additionally accused union leaders of planning to strike whatever the MTA’s provides, saying the newest proposal gave employees “all the pieces they mentioned they needed when it comes to pay.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul criticized the strike as “reckless,” warning it may harm commuters, companies and the broader regional economic system. Hochul, who’s searching for reelection later this yr, mentioned the unions’ calls for may pressure fare hikes and better taxes for Lengthy Islanders.
President Donald Trump additionally weighed in on the dispute, blaming Hochul for permitting the strike to happen.
“Should you can’t clear up it, let me know, and I’ll present you learn how to correctly get issues achieved,” Trump wrote on Reality Social.
A commuter sits on the Lengthy Island Rail Highway (LIRR) station at Nostrand Avenue within the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Saturday, Might 16, 2026. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures / Getty Pictures)
The standoff underscores rising stress dealing with public transit techniques nationwide as labor unions push for increased wages whereas transit businesses proceed grappling with post-pandemic finances pressures and shifting commuting patterns.
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Transit officers haven’t indicated when negotiations may resume or how lengthy the strike could proceed as commuters throughout the New York space search different transportation choices.
