LIRR Workers Strike, Halting All Train Service

Overview

• A coalition of five unions representing about 3,500 Long Island Rail Road employees walked off the job, stopping all train service.
• The shutdown affects one of the nation’s busiest commuter lines, which the unions say carries nearly 300,000 passengers each day.
• The operator announced limited weekday shuttle buses for essential workers and people who cannot work from home.
• Union leaders say workers went three years without raises and put the remaining pay gap with the MTA at about 1%.
• After the walkout, Governor Kathy Hochul urged a return to talks, and MTA chief Janno Lieber said he will not accept a deal that would blow up the agency budget.