Workers for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) — the nation’s largest commuter rail line — went on strike early Saturday, leaving more than 330,000 commuters scrambling for alternatives.
At 12:01 a.m., five unions representing roughly 3,700 workers — including ticket clerks, locomotive engineers, signalmen, electricians and machinists — walked off the job in the fourth strike in the rail line’s history.
The LIRR confirmed in a statement that service has been suspended until further notice.
“Avoid nonessential travel and work from home if possible,” the railroad said. “We will have limited shuttle bus service on weekdays for essential workers and those who cannot telecommute.”
Kevin Sexton, national vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said no new negotiations had been scheduled.
“We’re far apart at this point,” Sexton said. “We are truly sorry that we are in this situation.”
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the agency “gave the union everything they said they wanted in terms of pay” and claimed it appeared union leaders had intended to strike all along.
Leading up to the strike, unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) negotiated a new contract that included work-rule changes and annual wage increases of 3% over three years.
The dispute centered on a proposed fourth-year wage increase, with unions seeking a 5% raise for the final year.
MTA officials said they could not meet that demand and warned it could force fare increases.
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The agency also warned the shutdown would cause severe congestion and delays across the region.
As part of its contingency plan, the MTA said it would operate limited weekday shuttle bus service during peak commuting hours between select Long Island locations and subway stations in Queens.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul described the strike as “reckless” and “unacceptable.”
“Commuters are dealing with unnecessary dysfunction and thousands of union LIRR workers are being forced to go without a paycheck because of decisions made by a small group of union leaders,” she said in a statement. “I stand with LIRR riders and will fight to preserve the long term stability of the MTA.”
“I believe a deal can be done and I urge both the MTA and these unions to return to the table and bargain non-stop until a deal is reached,” she added.
Hochul also blamed the disruption in part on the Trump administration, saying federal officials cut mediation efforts short and pushed negotiations closer to a strike.
“The disruption that Long Islanders face starting tonight is the direct result of reckless actions by the Trump Administration to cut mediation short and push these negotiations toward a strike. For weeks, the MTA has attempted to negotiate in good faith and put multiple fair offers on the table that included meaningful wage increases, but you cannot make a deal if one side refuses to engage in good faith,” Hochul wrote in a statement.
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President Donald Trump responded Saturday morning, blasting Hochul for blaming him and pointing the finger back at her.
“Failed New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, a Dumacrat, just blamed ME for her Long Island Railroad STRIKE, when she knows, full well, that I have NOTHING TO DO WITH IT — never even heard about it until this morning,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“She just blurted out, ‘it’s President Trump’s fault.’ No, Kathy, it’s your fault, and now looking over the facts, you should not have allowed this to happen. If you can’t solve it, let me know, and I’ll show you how to properly get things done,” Trump continued.
The president then touted Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, who is running as a Republican in New York’s upcoming gubernatorial election, as someone who could resolve the strike.
“This would be an easy one for BRUCE BLAKEMAN. He should be your next Governor and New York State would turn around fast, including far less Crime, and much lower taxes!!! Kathy, call me if you can’t do it, I will get it done – I know all the players, great people!!!” Trump concluded.
Blakeman also blamed Hochul for the strike.
“Hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders woke up to chaos because Kathy Hochul failed to do her job. This strike didn’t come out of nowhere — Hochul knew this deadline was coming and still allowed commuters, small businesses, nurses, teachers, and tourists to become collateral damage,” Blakeman said in a statement.
“Hochul can’t pass a budget on time, can’t keep the trains running, and cares more about bailing out Zohran Mamdani than the commuters stranded on platforms. Hands down, Hochul is the worst governor in America,” Blakeman concluded.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his office was helping coordinate contingency efforts.
“New Yorkers should prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic, crowded transit options and additional travel time,” he wrote in a post on X. ”The MTA has announced that limited weekday bus service will be available for essential workers and others who cannot telecommute.”
The first LIRR strike occurred in 1980 and lasted two days. Another strike in 1987 lasted 11 days, while a third strike in 1994 lasted two days.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
