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Tentative agreement reached to end LIRR strike
Negotiators have finalized a provisional deal to halt a strike at North America's busiest rail network, which disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of commuters in New York. Service on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is set to resume at noon on Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced late Monday.
Strike causes widespread commuter chaos
Penn Station, typically bustling with 600,000 daily passengers, was unusually quiet on Monday as travelers scrambled for alternatives. The strike, which began on Saturday, left many stranded, including Brooklyn resident Mekan Esenov, who faced a $250 Uber ride to reach a Long Island airport.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) deployed free shuttle buses for some routes but warned of "severe congestion and delays." The LIRR serves roughly 250,000 weekday riders, connecting New York City to eastern suburbs and Long Island's coastal destinations, including the Hamptons and Montauk.
Union demands and MTA's position
Around 3,500 unionized workers walked off the job after failing to secure a new contract with rail management over pay and work conditions. Unions have demanded a 5% wage increase for the next contract year, starting in June, citing years without raises.
The MTA initially offered a 3% raise, with potential adjustments to reach 4.5%, according to CBS News, a U.S. partner of the BBC.
Governor intervenes as federal mediators step in
Negotiations resumed on Sunday and Monday after Hochul urged both sides to return to the table. A federal labor agency intervened on Sunday to facilitate talks, marking the LIRR's first strike in over three decades.
Hochul described the tentative deal as one that "delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers." She emphasized New York's pro-labor stance but cautioned against a contract that could trigger an 8% fare hike or tax increases for Long Island residents.
Union workers protest for fair wages
On Monday morning, LIRR union members gathered in Midtown Manhattan to protest, chanting for fair wages, a just contract, and "dignity." Olivier Desinor, a representative from the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, told the BBC that workers preferred to be on the job but stood in solidarity.
"We're hardworking men and women. It's not one of the best positions we want to be in, but, thankfully, we're together in solidarity, and we're gonna get through this."
Olivier Desinor, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
What's next
With the tentative agreement in place, LIRR service is expected to resume at noon on Tuesday. Details of the deal, including wage adjustments and work rule changes, have not been disclosed. Both sides are likely to review the terms before final ratification.
