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

Long Island Rail Road workers went on strike as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday after not reaching a new contract deal with the MTA.

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Last updated: Sunday, May 17, 2026 3:23AM GMT
LIRR strike about to enter second day

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The Long Island Rail Road, North America's largest commuter rail system, remains shut down Saturday after unionized workers went on strike just after midnight on Saturday.

CURRENT STATUS: No new talks scheduled. LIRR unions remain on the picket lines.

The five unions represents about half its workforce, including engineers, signalmen and trainmen.

The unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have been negotiating for months on a new contract, with talks stalled over the question of workers' salaries and healthcare premiums.

If the stoppage continues into Monday, the roughly 250,000 people who ride the system each weekday will be forced to find other routes to the city from its Long Island suburbs.

Eyewitness News This Morning will start at 4:00 a.m. on Monday if the strike continues.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
2 hours and 50 minutes ago

LIRR riders scramble to find alternate transportation

LIRR riders found the doors to ticket offices locked at Jamaica station and big orange barricades preventing access to the tracks. Fans wearing orange and blue headed to the Subway Series had to grab a shuttle. Riders scrambled to find alternate transportation and are not happy about it.

Anthony Carlo has more from New Hyde Park:

Anthony Carlo has the latest from New Hyde Park.

"We don't need this LIRR strike. It makes it harder for everyone else that is trying to get to New York City or Long Island. We need to fix this," said one commuter.

And fix it fast they say - the workweek is right around the corner. Some say the LIRR was the only reliable way for them to get around.

The MTA has established shuttle buses at six locations on Long Island to operate during peak weekday hours.

May 16, 2026, 3:47 PM GMT

President Trump blames Gov. Hochul for LIRR strike in Truth Social post

President Donald Trump turned to his social media platform to blame New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for the Long Island Railroad Strike, distancing himself from the conflict and insisting he has "NOTHING TO DO WITH IT."

"She just blurted out, "it's President Trump's fault." No, Kathy, it's your fault, and now looking over the facts, you should not have allowed this to happen," Trump said.

Hochul had said the disruption is the "direct result of reckless actions by the Trump Administration to cut mediation short and push these negotiations toward a strike."

n his post Saturday, the president also claimed that he would be able to "properly" resolve the issue, telling Hochul to reach out to him for help.

"Kathy, call me if you can't do it, I will get it done - I know all the players, great people!!!" Trump said.

Trump then insisted that his pick for New York governor, Bruce Blakeman, would be able to handle the LIRR strike, in addition to other issues affecting New York.

"This would be an easy one for BRUCE BLAKEMAN. He should be your next Governor and New York State would turn around fast, including far less Crime, and much lower taxes!!!" he said.

May 16, 2026, 3:43 PM GMT

MTA releases new statement following LIRR strike announcement

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber released a new statement on X about LIRR strike negotiations.

May 16, 2026, 2:36 PM GMT

Queens Borough President speaks to Eyewitness News amid LIRR strike

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. says he is very concerned about the impact of the LIRR strike.

Richards Jr. says the buses and subways will be 'chaos' if the strike continues into Monday.

Donovan Richards Jr. reacts to the LIRR worker strike.