LIRR Strike Looms as Unions Reject Pay Offer and MTA Rolls Out Contingency Plans

Long Island Rail Road commuters face potential shutdown after five unions reject MTA’s 9.5% wage proposal and authorize an imminent strike.

Nut Graf With contract talks stalled over a 16% pay demand versus the MTA’s 9.5% offer, five LIRR unions-representing nearly half of the railroad’s 7,000 employees-have been released from federal mediation and could walk out at midnight on September 18. The prospect of America’s busiest commuter rail grinding to a halt has prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to explore federal intervention and the MTA to unveil shuttle-bus backups for 300,000 daily riders.

When and Why Strike Authorization Vote

• Unions wrapped up a strike-authorization vote on September 15; results are expected ahead of the cooling-off period ending at 12:01 a.m. on September 18.
• Workers seek retroactive raises totaling 16% over three years to match surging New York living costs; the MTA offers 9.5% in line with other labor divisions.

Contingency Measures for Riders

• Limited shuttle-bus service every 10 minutes during peak hours will connect Bellmore-Howard Beach (A), Hicksville-Mets-Willets Point (7), and Ronkonkoma-Mets-Willets Point (7) for essential workers and non-telecommuters.
• Nassau Inter-County Express buses will supplement routes to Flushing-Main Street and Jamaica Bus Terminal.
• The MTA plans prorated refunds for September monthly ticket holders for each suspended service day, pending board approval.

Political Maneuvering Governor Hochul holds the Trump White House responsible for ending federal mediation, blaming it for “initiating” the worst-case scenario while stopping short of confirming a request for federal delay. Union leaders counter that their wage demands reflect only the cost-of-living increases New York workers face.

Impact on Commuters Commuters are urged to work from home where possible. For those unable to telecommute, substitute transit options promise only “limited” relief, likely extending average travel times significantly. Local businesses, schools, and upcoming regional events-including the Ryder Cup’s influx of 25,000 daily visitors-stand to shoulder major disruptions.

Union Statements Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen President Mike Sexton called the MTA’s stall tactics “unacceptable” after three years without raises. Transportation Communications Union and IAM National President Artie Maratea demanded Governor Hochul “stop the political games” and help deliver “both dependable service and a fair contract”.

Next Steps As both sides brace for “worst-case” fallout, any last-minute breakthrough could avert the region’s first LIRR strike in over three decades. Riders and businesses across Long Island and New York City now await the results of Monday’s vote and any executive intervention that might postpone or prevent the service shutdown.