LIRR riders brace for long commutes as strike enters its third day
A late-night meeting between the MTA and union leaders failed to end a strike that shut down the Long Island Rail Road. Negotiations will continue Monday morning.
Updated on: May 18, 2026 / 7:15 AM EDT / CBS New York
Long Island Rail Road commuters are starting to take shuttle buses and subways into New York City as the largest commuter rail system in North America remains shut down.
The National Mediation Board, which handles labor relations for railroads, summoned both sides Sunday night. No deal was reached after hours of talks . They will return to the negotiating table at 7:30 a.m.
A representative from the union said the negotiations were cordial, and they were making progress.
The strike stems from a dispute over the last year of a four-year contract between the MTA and unions.
The MTA agreed to 9.5% wage hikes and was only a percentage point apart on the fourth year. Then, union sources said the MTA suddenly asked for a steep increase in healthcare contributions for new hires from 2% to 10%.