Deal Reached to End Three-Day Long Island Rail Road Strike

Negotiators for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and five labor unions representing Long Island Rail Road workers reached a deal late Monday night to end the three-day strike on the busiest commuter rail system in North America. New York Gov.

Kathy Hochul said the agreement delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers from higher fares or taxes. She described the outcome as a good, fair compromise reached after years of bargaining that began in 2023.

Background to the Walkout The unions went on strike at 12:01 a.m.

Saturday, affecting roughly 250,000 daily riders who rely on the 118-mile system connecting New York City to Long Island suburbs. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority had offered limited free shuttle buses during rush hours, but ridership on those buses reached only about 2,000 people Monday morning against an expected 13,000.

Union leaders had sought raises to offset inflation and rising living costs. The MTA had warned that the initial demands would force fare increases. Before this strike, LIRR workers last walked out in 1994.

Robert Free, LIRR president, said major commuter lines will begin running trains by noon Tuesday, with full service restored by the afternoon rush hour. Kevin Sexton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said the unions view the deal as fair but declined to disclose specifics until members vote.

" — Governor Kathy Hochul, May 19, 2026 (Washington Examiner) New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani posted that he was grateful the impasse was settled and urged commuters to make alternative travel plans Tuesday morning.

Gerard Bringmann, chair of the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council, said the deal will relieve daily riders who faced difficult commutes Monday. Hallie Kessler, a 24-year-old speech therapist, reported her usual one-hour trip home tripled in length after taking two trains and a shuttle bus.

The Trump administration became involved in September after unions requested a panel of experts, temporarily averting an earlier strike. The National Mediation Board prodded both sides during Sunday afternoon and overnight talks that produced the final agreement.