National Mediation Board summons LIRR unions, MTA | Live updates

The only activity in the LIRR concourse is NJ Transit and Amtrak riders walking through, and Port Authority police. By now, railroad riders aren't coming to look for service, but they are trying to figure out what to do.

Sonia Rincon reports from Penn Station:

Sonia Rinon has more from Penn Station.

Outside Penn Station, striking railroad workers are loudly and proudly demanding the contract that has eluded them so far.

If you head downstairs, the signage makes it abundantly clear -- you can't even get a ticket for a future train. A person who works at Penn told Eyewitness News it definitely feels like we're witnessing a historic event. No service because of several unions on strike? That hasn't happened in more than 30 years.

The National Mediation Board has stepped in to the LIRR strike to try to help resume bargaining between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the striking unions.

The coalition of five Long Island Rail Road unions and the MTA were summoned to a meeting in Manhattan.

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

LIRR union representative Mike Carlucci said he appreciated the governor's public comments but criticized the lack of direct negotiations.

"I still remain disappointed that we're not talking right now," Carlucci said. "We're not in the room getting this done."

According to Carlucci, two independent presidential boards have already reviewed the dispute and concluded the union's demands are reasonable. He urged decision-makers to return to the negotiating table and move the process forward.

The strike has significantly disrupted commuters across Long Island, leaving many unable to travel into New York City. Carlucci acknowledged the widespread impact, noting that union members themselves are also feeling the strain.

"This is affecting everyone, including us," he said. "We're working without money right now. But we have to stay together and fight for what we believe is fair and equitable."

Krista McNally reports

New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged the LIRR unions to return to the bargaining table during a press conference on Sunday morning.

"Just three days of a strike would erase every dollar of additional salary that workers would receive under a new contract. We don't need to be here. Workers deserve better, but also New Yorkers deserve better. That's why today I'm urging all parties once again to bargain at the table and to get a deal done," she said.

Governor Hochul and MTA officials held a briefing on the LIRR strike on Sunday morning

The governor said that starting at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, the MTA will deploy shuttle buses to subway stations in Queens for essential workers.

The parking lot at Citi Field will be open and available for people to park and take the 7 train, Hochul said.

Those who are able to have been urged to work from home by the governor.

"It's impossible to fully replace LIRR service. So, effective Monday, I'm asking that regular commuters who can work from home should. Please do so. And employers should make every accommodation necessary to allow for remote work," the governor said.

Officials announced that additional resources will be made available for the NYC subway system to handle the potential influx of riders on Monday.

MTA CEO Janno Leiber said that what the unions have asked for would force riders to "pay the cost of a labor settlement that blew up the MTA budget."

"We said right up to the deadline that the unions had imposed, 'Let's talk, let's keep talking,' and we sat there in the hallway, so they couldn't even avoid seeing us, that we were available to talk to them right up to and through the deadline; it was they who elected to walk out," Lieber said.