LIRR strike live updates: Unions, MTA reach agreement to end 3-day walkout

Engineers are moving their trains into position as the nation's busiest commuter railroad gets busy again. Railroad officials are anticipating a normal evening rush hour, with full service into and out of New York City.

It was the first strike on the Long Island Rail Road in more than 30 years. And the longest strike in almost 40 years.

But after three days, negotiators emerged Monday evening with a deal to settle the contract and to re-open the railroad.

The deal gives workers a four-year contact with a six-week extension and annual raises of 3%, 3%, 3.5% and 4.5% in the final year. They will receive a $3,000 lump sum payment and full retroactive pay.

The unions had demanded 5% in the final year, but settled for the lump sum, instead.

N.J. Burkett reports on the resumption of LIRR service.

The first LIRR train will be at 12:03 p.m. from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma.

Service will first resume only on the four electrified branches - the Babylon, Huntington, Port Washington and Ronkonkoma branches.

All branches, those that use electric as well as diesel trains, will resume normal weekday schedule at 4 p.m. -- in time for the ride home and to bring fans to tonight's Knicks game.

MTA officials had hoped to have service restored for the morning commute, but negotiations with the five LIRR unions, representing 3,500 employees, dragged on into Monday night.

The strike ended at midnight, and several steps must now be completed to get the LIRR's fleet of about 1,300 trains out of the yards and back into service. Crew dispatchers must first call workers back, who must be assigned to trains, which need to be repositioned for the morning commute. And tracks need to be inspected per federal guidelines before they can be used again.

Details of the deal were not disclosed, the union must bring it to the rank and file to ratify. The union believes the agreement will be passed.

"If we didn't think that it would be ratifiable, we would still be at the bargaining table," Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Vice President Kevin Sexton said.

Gov. Hochul said the deal would not lead to an increase on fares or state taxes.

The Eyewitness News team is following the morning commute for LIRR passengers ahead of restored train service.

While many regular passengers are opting to work from home, others must use alternate ways to reach their destinations.

"Everyone is saying on time, smooth, great," Jaysha Patel spoke to commuters using shuttle buses.

Jaysha Patel reports on the end of the LIRR strike.

Phil Taitt is at a bus stop in Mineola.

Phil Taitt reports on the end of the LIRR strike.

Plus, John Del Giorno took a look at traffic volume over the Long Island Expressway.

John Del Giorno reports on the commute from NewsCopter 7.

The Long Island Rail Road strike is over, however the commute is not back to normal Tuesday morning.

Commuters can still take shuttle buses into the city from six locations on Long Island.

The tentative agreement came down so late Monday night that service will not partially resume until noon Tuesday.

The union representing 3,500 workers had wanted a 5% increase in the final year of their contract, while the MTA was willing to go as high as 4.5%, along with a number of concessions.

LIRR workers Tuesday will be performing track inspections and determining crew assignments. They also still have to finalize their deal with the MTA.