A LIRR strike could begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 16. Long Island Rail Road passengers are already dealing with service disruption from a tunnel fire. The disruption affects trains to and from Penn Station. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

LIRR strike negotiations near May 16 deadline
Photo: MTA Long Island Rail Road. LIRR strike negotiations near May 16 deadline

Talks to continue after 12-hour Thursday session ends without agreement

Long Island newspaper Newsday described the outcome in a paywalled report cited by Trains Magazine. Newsday said Thursday’s 12-hour bargaining session ended without a deal. Talks were scheduled to resume at 10 a.m. today, Friday, May 15. This placed the next round of talks on the day before the possible walkout.

If a strike takes place, the LIRR plans bus links from five stations. The links would connect riders to subway routes in Queens. Also, the LIRR is advising other riders to use a Long Island bus system to reach subway service. Still, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has said those alternatives would not offset the loss. The railroad carried more than 256,000 weekday customers in 2025. The MTA and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul have urged people to work from home wherever possible.

LIRR strike dispute centers on fourth-year raise

The main unresolved issue is reportedly the fourth year of a proposed new contract. The contract would cover a coalition of five unions. The unions want a 5% raise in that year. The MTA has offered 3%. That offer could rise if the unions accept givebacks on some work rules.

The authority has said the fourth year matters. It will establish a pattern for all MTA unions. Current contracts expire after year three. It has also said every additional 1% raise would cost $100 million.

Five-union coalition seeks more than earlier agreement

Most LIRR unions had earlier accepted a three-year agreement with raises totaling 9.5%. The remaining five-union coalition consists of:

• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen;
• Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen;
• International Association of Machinists;
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers;
• Transportation Communications Union.

Those unions have pushed for more, pointing to other rail industry contracts and saying “the work performed by the members we represent is unique to our industry.”

Newsday also reported that the MTA has warned workers that probationary employees would be fired if they strike. The unions described that warning as a “troubling” threat and said it may be illegal.

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