LIRR STRIKE: Talks break down, and 300,000 commuters now stranded as railroad employees hit picket line | amNewYork

"All LIRR service is suspended systemwide, the MTA reported, while advising those who use the railroad to get to and from work to shift to remote working if possible. How long the strike and service suspension will last is unknown, but both sides were quick to point fingers for the breakdown in talks that led to the walkout that took effect just after midnight on May 16."

"Officials have said the MTA's announced contingency plans including shuttle buses to replace train service would not be enough to alleviate expected traffic. Some 300,000 daily commuters who rely on the LIRR in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk Counties now need to find an alternate way to get around, or scrap plans for long travel throughout the region."

"The five unions that walked off the job Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU) said the MTA refused to agree to a contract that wasn't concessionary in rebuffing the recommendations of two federal panels to increase LIRR worker salaries between 4.5 and 5%."

"“MTA and Gov. [Kathy] Hochul determined that they would rather create frustration and gridlock for thousands of commuters, spend millions on buses during a strike and lose millions in lost revenue rather than settle a contract meant to keep pace with the rising cost of living,” said Nick Peluso, serves as the National Vice President of the Transportation Communications Union."

Workers from five labor unions went on strike after contract negotiations with the MTA broke down. All LIRR service is suspended systemwide starting just after midnight on May 16, affecting about 300,000 daily commuters across New York City, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. MTA officials said announced contingency plans, including shuttle buses, would not be enough to prevent expected traffic problems. Commuters are advised to find alternate transportation or shift to remote work if possible. The unions said the MTA refused to agree to a contract that was not concessionary and rejected recommendations from two federal panels to increase LIRR worker salaries by about 4.5% to 5%.

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