New York could have mayhem on Monday as hundreds of thousands of riders may have their commute disrupted by an ongoing Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike.
LIRR workers officially went on strike as of midnight on Saturday, shutting down the nation’s busiest commuter railroad.
The strike, which is the first for the LIRR in more than three decades, impacts approximately 300,000 daily riders.
Contract negotiations between the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and a coalition of five rail unions failed to produce an agreement.
Long Island Rail Road riders are bracing for hourslong commutes as a salary fight between the nation’s busiest commuter rail line and its employees forced a systemwide shutdown, the first in more than 30 years. https://t.co/nKTv63aFOM
— Bloomberg (@business) May 16, 2026
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The MTA confirmed Saturday that all LIRR service was suspended and warned there is “no substitute” for the railroad, urging commuters to work remotely if possible as officials brace for severe congestion and delays throughout the metropolitan region.
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office estimated the strike could cost the regional economy up to $61 million per day in lost economic activity, as commuters scramble for alternatives and businesses prepare for disruptions.
The labor action marks the first Long Island Rail Road strike since 1994. Union leaders said workers involved in the coalition have gone more than three years without raises while negotiating a new labor agreement.
“This strike would not have happened if the MTA and LIRR offered our members the reasonable terms the government recommended multiple times. But management refused,” Mark Wallace, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Teamsters Rail Conference, said in a statement.
“We hope LIRR gets serious soon to avoid further unnecessary disruptions for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. They know where to find us when they’re ready: on the streets.”
MTA officials defended their bargaining position, arguing the unions were demanding wage increases that could ultimately drive up fares and strain the transit system’s finances.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said the agency “cannot responsibly make a deal that implodes MTA’s budget” and warned taxpayers and riders could ultimately bear the cost of larger wage increases.
“The LIRR is the lifeblood of Long Island. Hundreds of thousands of riders depend on it every day. This strike hurts both the riders who rely on the LIRR and the workers who operate it. We have a plan in place to help essential workers get to the city and minimize disruptions as much as possible,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
The LIRR is the lifeblood of Long Island. Hundreds of thousands of riders depend on it every day.
This strike hurts both the riders who rely on the LIRR and the workers who operate it. We have a plan in place to help essential workers get to the city and minimize disruptions as…
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 17, 2026
“For commuters traveling between Long Island and New York City tomorrow: •@MTA shuttle buses from Long Island begin at 4:30 AM • Nassau County NICE buses will run expanded service • Citi Field parking lots will open for commuters connecting to the 7 train,” Hochul continued.
“I’ve directed state agencies to implement telecommuting and encourage employers to do the same. If you can work from home tomorrow, please do so. The fastest way to end this disruption is to end the strike and get the trains running again,” she added.
I’ve directed state agencies to implement telecommuting and encourage employers to do the same. If you can work from home tomorrow, please do so.
The fastest way to end this disruption is to end the strike and get the trains running again.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 17, 2026
CBS News shared further:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it has activated its contingency plan, which includes recommended subway stations as passenger drop-off points to get into the city. However, if you don’t have a ride, there will be limited, free shuttle buses from several Long Island train stations to subway connections in Queens starting at 4:30 a.m.
Bay Shore, Hicksville, Mineola and Lakeview will go to Howard Beach-JFK Airport, while Ronkonkoma and Huntington will be bound for Jamaica-179th Street.
Commuter parking will also be available for $6 at Citi Field, which connects to the subway at Mets-Willets Point station.
The MTA says it intends to issue pro-rated refunds to May monthly ticket holders.
For months, the railroad’s unions and the MTA have been negotiating a new contract, but talks have repeatedly stalled over workers’ salaries and healthcare premiums.
With no deal, workers went on strike just after midnight Saturday and no new negotiations are currently scheduled.
“The MTA never really came to the table to negotiate until we had to call them out at their last board meeting,” said Karl Bischoff, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “There is no sense or urgency, as has been said before. It just seems like the MTA board is never held accountable. My members are always held accountable for their actions.”
“The raises weren’t really raises, when you factor in inflation,” said Steve Ammirati, also with the union.
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