LIRR workers go on strike after negotiations with MTA fail

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Angelina Katsanis/ReutersLong Island Rail Road trains came to a halt midnight Saturday after the union representing thousands of rail workers and the MTA failed to agree to a new contract. Kevin Sexton, the national vice president Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), one of the five unions representing more than 3,500 LIRR workers, told reporters that he and other leaders could not come to an agreement over salary increases and health care costs before the negotiation deadline ended. Long Island Rail Road union workers picket outside of Penn Station on the first day of the LIRR strike in New York, May 16, 2026.Angelina Katsanis/Reuters"We are far apart at this point and we feel it's unnecessary because we went through the process," he said. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber told reporters the MTA refuses to make a deal that forces riders and taxpayers to fund wage increases for workers who he contended are already the highest paid railroad employees in the nation. "Obviously this was not the result we were looking for," he said. Long Island Rail Road union workers picket outside of Penn Station on the first day of the LIRR strike in New York, May 16, 2026.Angelina Katsanis/ReutersNearly 300,000 daily commuters are affected by the strike, according to the MTA. The last strike was in 1994 and lasted two days before workers agreed to the new contract. While reasserting his belief that the LIRR is a great place to work, Lieber said the MTA cannot have a deal that shifts huge costs to riders, adding, "we can't expect taxpayers to foot the bill either, they're already doing enough. Gov. Kathy Hochul echoed Lieber's sentiments, calling the union's demands "unacceptable." A Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train pulls in to Penn Station on May 15, 2026, in New York.Adam Gray/Getty Images"These unions represent the highest-paid workers of any railroad in the nation, yet they are demanding contracts that could raise fares as much as 8%, pit workers against one another, and risk tax hikes for Long Islanders," Hochul said in a statement Saturday. "My priority is protecting affordability for riders and ensuring fairness across the workforce." Sexton said there's not another round of negotiations scheduled and he doesn’t know how long the strike will last. When asked if he had a message to riders, Sexton replied, "We are truly sorry that we are in this position." "These riders are our friends, our neighbors. They live in our communities. We understand the service that the LIRR provides," he said. The MTA is rolling out contingency plans to help LIRR commuters, including providing free shuttle buses on Monday, if the strike continues, to select New York City subway stations in Queens. Long Island Rail Road union workers picket outside of Penn Station on the first day of the LIRR strike in New York, May 16, 2026.Angelina Katsanis/ReutersQueens Borough President Donovan Richards told WABC Saturday that he predicts that there will be "chaos" at those stations on Monday. "That's not enough when our buses are overcrowded," Richards said of the shuttle bus plan. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he is monitoring the situation and working with various agencies to mitigate the impact. "New Yorkers should prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic, crowded transit options and additional travel time," he said in a statement. -ABC News' Clara McMichael contributed to this report. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events Long Island Rail Road trains came to a halt midnight Saturday after the union representing thousands of rail workers and the MTA failed to agree to a new contract. Kevin Sexton, the national vice president Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), one of the five unions representing more than 3,500 LIRR workers, told reporters that he and other leaders could not come to an agreement over salary increases and health care costs before the negotiation deadline ended. \"We are far apart at this point and we feel it's unnecessary because we went through the process,\" he said. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber told reporters the MTA refuses to make a deal that forces riders and taxpayers to fund wage increases for workers who he contended are already the highest paid railroad employees in the nation. \"Obviously this was not the result we were looking for,\" he said. Nearly 300,000 daily commuters are affected by the strike, according to the MTA. The last strike was in 1994 and lasted two days before workers agreed to the new contract. While reasserting his belief that the LIRR is a great place to work, Lieber said the MTA cannot have a deal that shifts huge costs to riders, adding, \"we can't expect taxpayers to foot the bill either, they're already doing enough. Gov. Kathy Hochul echoed Lieber's sentiments, calling the union's demands \"unacceptable.\" \"These unions represent the highest-paid workers of any railroad in the nation, yet they are demanding contracts that could raise fares as much as 8%, pit workers against one another, and risk tax hikes for Long Islanders,\" Hochul said in a statement Saturday. \"My priority is protecting affordability for riders and ensuring fairness across the workforce.\" Sexton said there's not another round of negotiations scheduled and he doesn’t know how long the strike will last. When asked if he had a message to riders, Sexton replied, \"We are truly sorry that we are in this position.\" \"These riders are our friends, our neighbors. They live in our communities. We understand the service that the LIRR provides,\" he said. The MTA is rolling out contingency plans to help LIRR commuters, including providing free shuttle buses on Monday, if the strike continues, to select New York City subway stations in Queens. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards told WABC Saturday that he predicts that there will be \"chaos\" at those stations on Monday. \"That's not enough when our buses are overcrowded,\" Richards said of the shuttle bus plan. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he is monitoring the situation and working with various agencies to mitigate the impact. \"New Yorkers should prepare for heavier-than-usual traffic, crowded transit options and additional travel time,\" he said in a statement. -ABC News' Clara McMichael contributed to this report.