Overview
- The LIRR, which shut down at 12:01 a.m. Saturday after five unions representing about 3,500 workers walked out, has left roughly 250,000 to 300,000 riders without trains.
- Both sides say the other walked away from bargaining, and as of Sunday there were no new negotiations scheduled according to MTA Chair Janno Lieber and union leaders.
- The core dispute centers on the final‑year raise and health costs for new hires, with unions seeking about 5% while the MTA offers roughly 3% plus lump sums, and officials warn the union package could mean up to an 8% fare hike as the state comptroller pegs daily losses near $60 million.
- Officials urge telework and are running free peak‑hour shuttle buses from Long Island to Queens subway links with capacity for about 13,000 riders, plus $6 parking at Citi Field and added NICE bus service, which means many commuters will face long drives and crowded subways.
- Gov. Kathy Hochul called the strike reckless and blamed the Trump administration for ending mediation, Trump denied responsibility and faulted Hochul, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman criticized the governor’s handling of the standoff.