"The Long Island Rail Road, North America's largest commuter rail system, was shut down Saturday after unionized workers went on strike for the first time in three decades. The railroad, which serves New York City and its eastern suburbs, ceased operations just after midnight after five unions representing about half its workforce walked off the job. The unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the public agency that runs the railroad, have been negotiating for months on a new contract, with talks stalled over the question of workers' salaries and healthcare premiums."
"President Donald Trump's administration tried to broker a deal, but the unions were legally allowed to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Kevin Sexton, national vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said no new negotiations have been scheduled. "We're far apart at this point," Sexton said early Saturday. "We are truly sorry that we are in this situation.""
"MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the agency "gave the union everything they said they wanted in terms of pay" and that to him it was apparent the unions always intended to walk out. First LIRR walkout since 1994 The walkout, the first for the LIRR since a two-day strike in 1994, promises to cause headaches for sports fans planning to see the Yankees and Mets battle this weekend or to watch the Knicks' playoff run at Madison Square Garden, which is located directly above the railroad's Penn Station hub in Manhattan."
"The railroad's Manhattan hub, Penn Station, was devoid of its usual weekend bustle on Saturday afternoon. Only a few dozen people were seen traversing the main concourse, many dragging rolling luggage from departing or arriving Amtrak trains, which aren't affected by the strike. Departure boards normally showing upcoming trains by destination instead listed ghost trains marked "No Passengers." A few signs affixed to customer service wind"
The Long Island Rail Road, North America’s largest commuter rail system, shut down after unionized workers went on strike for the first time in three decades. Service ended just after midnight when five unions representing about half the workforce walked off the job. Negotiations between the unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority had stalled for months over workers’ salaries and healthcare premiums. The Trump administration attempted to broker a deal, but the unions were legally allowed to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. No new negotiations were scheduled, and union leaders said the parties were far apart. The MTA said it provided the pay terms the unions requested and believed the unions intended to walk out. The shutdown disrupted travel through Penn Station, with departure boards showing “No Passengers.”
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