LIRR strike live updates: Unions, MTA resume talks on day 3 of strike

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: Monday, May 18, 2026 8:51PM GMT
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NEW YORK (WABC) -- Negotiations are once again underway between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a coalition of five striking Long Island Rail Road unions.

On Saturday, talks ground to a halt, shutting down North America's largest commuter rail system. By Sunday, the National Mediation Board stepped in, summoning management and workers to a meeting in Manhattan.

The federal labor agency governs labor relations for railroads and airlines.

CURRENT STATUS: Talks resume again Monday. LIRR unions remain on the picket lines.

Eyewitness News has team coverage of the LIRR strike.

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

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

Stay with Eyewitness News for complete coverage of the strike, including an early edition of Eyewitness News, starting at 4 a.m. Tuesday.

5:01 PM GMT

Hochul gets briefing on commute, closely monitoring strike

Gov. Hochul received a briefing on the morning commute at 11 a.m.

"Governor Hochul continues to closely monitor the LIRR strike and travel alternatives. At 11am, she received a briefing from MTA and state leaders on this morning's commute and the status of negotiations between the MTA and LIRR unions," a spokesperson said. "She is pleased that the unions accepted her invitation to return to the table and encourages both parties to continue negotiating in good faith."

2:59 PM GMT

MTA and unions return to bargaining table

Representatives for the MTA and the LIRR unions have been at the table since about 7:30 a.m. on Monday.

Sunday night's talks ended around 1:30 a.m.

Many questions remain: When will both sides reach a deal? When they do, how soon will trains start moving?

N.J. Burkett is outside MTA headquarters in Lower Manhattan where negotiations are ongoing:

N.J. Burkett reports on the LIRR strike negotiations.
2:52 PM GMT

Long Island drivers cope with slow traffic during LIRR strike

Those who opted to drive from Long Island to New York City on Monday morning dealt with early congestion amid the LIRR strike.

Eyewitness News reporter Lindsay Tuchman was in RoadCam 7 all morning to clock the commute.

Lindsay Tuchman has the latest on the commute.
2:52 PM GMT

Commuters at Jamaica station cope with shuttle buses to commute on Monday

Jamaica station was one of the destinations for the dozens of shuttle buses leaving Nassau and Suffolk counties for New York City on Monday morning.

Eyewitness News reporter Jaysha Patel spoke with riders about how the commute went.

Jaysha Patel reports from Jamaica on the passengers coping with shuttle buses during LIRR strike.