May 16, 2026, 10:35 AM GMT
LIRR on Strike: Coverage from Eyewitness News Saturday Morning
LIRR strike ends as unions, MTA reach deal after 3-day walkout
Long Island Rail Road started running trains at noon Tuesday, with full service to all branches by the afternoon rush hour.
Last updated: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 10:48PM GMT
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Negotiators have reached a deal to end a strike that has brought North America's largest commuter rail system to a standstill.
CURRENT STATUS: LIRR unions, MTA reach deal to end 3-day strike.
The deal between the Long Island Rail Road and union leaders was announced on Monday. The two sides had bargained for years before the strike began Saturday.
The shutdown forced roughly 250,000 commuters who ride the system each weekday to work from home or find alternate routes to and from the city.
LIRR service started back up beginning Tuesday at noon.
Key Headlines
- May 19, 2026, 5:17 PM GMT
- May 19, 2026, 4:39 PM GMT
- May 19, 2026, 12:49 AM GMT
Here's how the news is developing.
May 16, 2026, 9:32 AM GMT
Governor Hochul issues statement on LIRR strike
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement early Saturday critical of the unions and President Trump.
"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. This is unacceptable. My priority is protecting affordability for riders and ensuring fairness across the workforce," she wrote.
""The disruption that Long Islanders face starting tonight is the direct result of reckless actions by the Trump Administration to cut mediation short and push these negotiations toward a strike."
May 16, 2026, 9:25 AM GMT
'Not the result we are looking for': MTA responds after LIRR workers go on strike
May 16, 2026, 9:25 AM GMT
LIRR unions respond after failing to reach deal: 'management provoked strike'
