LIRR strike Day 3: Where things stand as of Monday morning

Source: Fox 5 NY

By Isabel Soisson Updated May 18, 2026 7:25am EDT

LONG ISLAND, NY - Over the weekend, thousands of Long Island Railroad workers from five separate unions began a strike after weeks of negotiations failed to materialize into a new labor contract.

Now, for the first time in 30 years, hundreds of thousands of Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) riders are without service.

On Sunday night, the National Mediation Board called both the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the five unions to a meeting in Manhattan in an effort to restart stalled contract negotiations.

Why the strike is happening
By the numbers:
Ultimately, the talks broke down over the proposed fourth deal for a new contract.

Read more: https://www.fox5ny.com/news/lirr-strike-day-3-where-things-stand-monday-morning