LIRR strike live updates: LIRR, MTA reach agreement to end 3-day strike, Gov. Hochul announces

Various colleges on Long Island are warning students and their families what they may need to know amid the ongoing LIRR strike:

Stony Brook -- Commencement events starting Monday, May 18, will proceed as scheduled. Because of the strike, they expect a 30-40% increase in vehicle traffic on campus.

Hofstra -- Hofstra University scheduled graduation ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students Sunday, and law students Monday night.

Farmingdale State College -- Farmingdale State College encouraged carpooling during final exams week. Commencement is Friday at the Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum.

Malloy University -- Commencement ceremony is 1 p.m. Monday afternoon at Molloy University in Rockville Centre.

Anthony Johnson reports from outside of MTA headquarters.

Anthony Johnson reports on the negotiations.

Plus, Krista McNally has the latest from Ronkonkoma, the furthest point east where workers are able to take MTA shuttle buses.

Krista McNally reports from Ronkonkoma.

Janno Lieber, Chair and CEO of the MTA, joined Eyewitness News to comment on the ongoing Long Island Rail Road strike, where negotiations stand, and what to expect when a deal is reached.

"I am cautiously optimistic ... we are headed in a positive direction but we have to get it finished," Lieber shared.

As for the MTA's alternate methods of transportation for LIRR commuters, Lieber said that numbers show that "folks are taking the governor's suggestion to stay home and to telework."

"Ridership has been pretty light on those (shuttle) buses," he said.

Even if the MTA and LIRR unions reach an agreement, passengers can expect a delay before services resume.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber gives an update ahead of talks resuming during the LIRR strike.

"If we can get a deal done, we can have service on the next day," Lieber estimated.

His message to frustrated customers:

"Stand by, we're trying to get the job done at the bargaining table so we can restore everything to normality. That is our priority right now."

Talks are set to resume this morning at 7:30 a.m. between LIRR workers and the MTA.

This is the third day of the strike, but the first workday.

The talks are being described as "cordial."

Anthony Johnson looks ahead as MTA management and LIRR union workers plan to resume talks.

Anthony Johnson reports.

Still, those talks won't come in time to help the Monday morning commute.

The National Mediation Board got involved along with some pressure from Governor Kathy Hochul to get the talk restarted.

The two sides, the five unions and the MTA, avoided each other on Saturday which was the first day of the strike.

The negotiations on this contract began back in 2023. The big issues are salaries and health care.