Negotiators for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and labor unions representing Long Island Rail Road workers reached a deal late Monday night to end the 3-day strike for the country’s largest commuter rail system. The work stoppage created chaos on Monday for the hundreds of thousands of commuters in the New York City Metropolitan area who use the LIRR as 3500 workers sought better terms of their work contracts.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced the deal and the end of the strike in a social media post on Monday night.
“Tonight, the @MTA reached a fair deal with the five LIRR unions that delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers,” Hochul said in a post on X. “I’m pleased to announce that phased LIRR service will resume beginning tomorrow at noon.”
Hochul discussed the agreement, which concluded the work stoppage, calling it a “good, fair compromise” at a press conference on Monday night.
“I always believed that we could reach a good, fair compromise, a contract that achieved two principles,” Hochul said. “Number one, protecting affordability for Long Islanders and commuters while giving fair wages to the employees. And by working and negotiating together, we have reached that kind of deal. That this contract will ensure that 3500 Long Island Rail Road employees will be paid fairly for their labor.”
“Their work is critical for the entire region, and they deserve a fair wage,” Hochul added. “I also would not accept a deal that would compromise affordability for Long Islanders, at a time when everything is going up. We all know the story. I was not going to allow taxes or fares to go up, and that’s why we stood firm for a deal that would not require any additional fare increases or tax increases.
The specifics of the new contract were not disclosed as Hochul said she was “not at liberty to disclose the details” of the agreement.
Due to the agreement being reached late Monday night, it was announced that LIRR service will resume on Tuesday at 12 p.m. As such, the MTA urged commuters to “continue to work from home on Tuesday if possible.”
NEW YORK CITY COMMUTER RAIL UNIONS START STRIKE AFFECTING 300,000 RIDERS DAILY
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed gratitude that the impasse was settled so that the city’s 300,000 daily commuters on the LIRR could once again use its services. He also encouraged New Yorkers to seek other work-commute arrangements on Tuesday morning, if possible.
“I’m grateful that LIRR unions and the MTA reached an agreement tonight that recognizes both the critical importance of the LIRR and the workers who keep it running,” Mamdani posted on social media. “Phased LIRR service will resume tomorrow at noon, so New Yorkers should continue to make alternative travel plans and expect travel delays in the morning if they typically commute via the LIRR.”