LIRR strike shuts down nation's busiest railroad as unions, MTA fail to reach deal | Live updates

Below is a list of events happening this weekend that could potentially be impacted by the LIRR strike.

The MTA plans on running shuttle buses, but that's only during peak weekday hours:

HAPPENING IN MANHATTAN

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
MSG's website says: "In the event of an LIRR strike, we encourage guests to plan ahead and allow for additional travel time. Events will continue as scheduled."

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are performing at MSG May 16th, at 7:30 p.m.

BEACON THEATRE
At the Beacon Theatre on Saturday and Sunday: Comedian Michelle Buteau is showcasing her "The Surviving and Thriving Tour" at 7 p.m.

CARNEGIE HALL
On Saturday:
7:30 p.m.: Clair de Lune with Vladimir Rumyantsev: The program features Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata, Debussy's "Clair de lune," and more.

9 p.m.: Keyon Harrold, Trumpet: Celebrate the Miles Davis centennial with the similarly genre-crossing, convention-spurning musician Keyon Harrold.

HAPPENING IN QUEENS

CITI FIELD
Subway Series: The Yankees play the Mets at Citi Field both Saturday and Sunday. Tomorrow's game is at 7:15pm and Sunday's game is at 1:40 p.m.

It's worth noting that the Mets will be running a shuttle in case of a strike: "The Mets have added additional shuttles to all existing Long Island game-day shuttle routes and created an entirely new shuttle line departing from the Manhasset LIRR Station to assist fans traveling from the Port Washington Line area. Shuttle tickets are just $8.99 per ticket for round-trip service, or $25 for a family of four for the new Manhasset route, and fans will automatically receive refunds if there is no strike and the shuttle service is not needed."

HAPPENING ON LONG ISLAND

UBS ARENA
The 2026 USA Challenge Cup is taking place at the UBS Arena on Sunday, May 17th, at 5 p.m. This is a hockey tournament, with HC Tel Aviv playing against the Jerusalem Capitals.

Before MTA negotiators meet with LIRR unions Friday morning, they sat down at around 9 a.m. with TWU Local 100, whose contract with subway and bus workers also expires today.

The MTA's union contracts are interconnected, as gains made by one union are reflected in other contracts.

The LIRR has put out an advisory about the strike that could happen at midnight.

"If you're traveling tonight, plan a trip that ends before midnight," the advisory said.

In the event of a strike, the MTA will implement an orderly shutdown Friday night.

The goal will be to have all trains in the yard by 12:01 a.m. Riders will be notified of the departure time of the last train on each branch, through the TrainTime app and social media.

MTA officials will be in communication with LIRR unions to implement the shutdown.

MTA negotiators and union leaders didn't make a deal Thursday night.

They met from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and they're expected to meet again Friday morning.

Both sides cannot agree when it comes to wages.

Around 3,500 workers are threatening to walk off the job on Saturday just after midnight.

If a strike happens it would leave nearly 300,000 commuters with very few transportation options.

The unions are demanding wage increases of 14.5% over four years.

MTA officials have offered slightly smaller increases and a $3,000 lump-sum payment.

The MTA is urging people to work from home if a strike happens. They do have a contingency plan in place that includes shuttle buses from six locations on Long Island to subway transfer points in Queens.