Possible LIRR strike could happen Saturday if no deal is reached | Live updates
Last updated: Monday, May 11, 2026 4:10PM GMT
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Long Island Rail Road workers could go on strike May 16 if they don't reach a new contract deal with the MTA.
The union representing LIRR workers is pushing for higher pay, but MTA leaders warn that agreeing to those demands could trigger significant fare hikes.
Five unions representing 3,500 workers, including engineers, signalmen and trainmen, are threatening to strike if an agreement cannot be reached.
The MTA says if a strike happens, it will roll out a contingency plan that includes shuttle buses to help move riders.
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Here's how the news is developing.
Contract talks resume Monday afternoon in Bethpage; Union releases statement
The contract talks scheduled between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the coalition of five Long Island Rail Road unions will resume Monday afternoon in Bethpage.
The unions say despite a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m., Saturday May 16, the MTA has shown no sense of urgency.
"It's clear that the MTA's strategy up until now - if you can call it that -- is to deflect, distort, dither and denigrate. The May 16 strike date is approaching. It's time for management to get serious about negotiating wages," said Michael Sullivan, General Chairman --BRS.
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What are the contingency plans if there is a strike?
More than a quarter million people ride the LIRR each day.
If there is a strike, the MTA would run free shuttle bus service from a limited number of LIRR stations -- Lakeview, Hicksville, Ronkonkoma, Mineola, and Huntington -- bringing riders to a subway station.
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When was the last LIRR strike?
If there is a strike this weekend, it will mark the railroad's first strike in more than 30 years.
The last one happened back in 1994 and shut down service for two days.
Before that, there was a longer LIRR strike in 1987 that lasted 11 days.
Recent strike threats in 2025 were avoided through federal mediation.
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MTA says wage increase could result in 8% fare hike
Five unions representing 3,500 workers, including engineers, signalmen and trainmen, are threatening to strike on May 16.
The unions and LIRR have agreed to a retroactive 9.5% wage increase covering the last three years. But, the sticking point remains an additional 5% raise the workers want beginning this year.
The MTA says that's too high. The MTA has also pushed back about some of the lucrative penalty pay workers receive when tasked with certain jobs during a shift.
MTA officials say if they give LIRR workers what they are asking for, it could result in a fare hike as high as 8%.
