Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has announced that an agreement has been reached between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the unions representing workers of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The strike, which had halted operations on one of the busiest commuter rail systems in the United States, entered its third day on Monday.
Hochul stated that train service will resume in phases starting Tuesday at noon. She described the deal, finalized late Monday with the five unions representing the workers, as a "fair agreement."
While the Democratic governor did not disclose specific terms, she indicated the agreement "delivers raises for workers while protecting the interests of passengers and taxpayers."
Approximately 3,500 LIRR employees walked off the job over the weekend. This followed months of unsuccessful negotiations between their unions and the MTA, which manages the railroad.
The strike stranded around 300,000 daily commuters who travel between New York and Long Island. The MTA advised affected passengers to work from home and avoid non-essential travel. Although limited bus service was provided, the authority warned of severe crowding.
This marked the first strike by LIRR workers in three decades. The unions had sought wage increases exceeding 4% in the next contract year to keep pace with inflation, while the MTA had offered a 3% raise.
According to MTA data, the striking workers had average earnings exceeding $135,000 in 2024. When including health insurance and other benefits, their total compensation approached $200,000.
The coalition of five unions representing the workers returned to the negotiating table with the MTA on Sunday.
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