May 18, 2026, 5:16 PM GMT
Commuters and workers impacted by LIRR strike speak out
Long Island reporter Krista McNally spoke to commuters and railroad workers who hit the picket line on Monday.
Live
LIRR strike live updates: LIRR, MTA reach agreement to end 3-day strike, Gov. Hochul announces
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.
Last updated: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 12:56AM GMT
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: LIRR, MTA reach deal to end 3-day 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.
Key Headlines
- May 18, 2026, 7:22 PM GMT
- May 18, 2026, 6:27 PM GMT
- May 18, 2026, 5:01 PM GMT
- May 16, 2026, 9:25 AM GMT
Here's how the news is developing.
May 18, 2026, 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."
May 18, 2026, 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:
May 18, 2026, 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.
