A potential Long Island Rail Road strike is looming on May 16, setting up what could be the first major work stoppage on the commuter rail system in more than three decades if no deal is reached between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its unionized employees.
At the center of the dispute are issues with pay and working conditions. Union leaders are seeking a retroactive 9.5 percent wage increase for the past three years, and an additional 5 percent raise starting this year.
The MTA, meanwhile, is offering raises but wants changes to work rules and productivity standards in return, saying it must control costs and protect the system’s long-term financial stability.
Many Freeport residents and commuters expressed frustration at the possibility of a work stoppage. “What would they be striking for now?” Ann Haynes-Sanders, a local LIRR rider, said. “Prices just went up in December or January. People really need the trains to get to work and back.”
“Higher wages? That’s comical,” resident Jason Mackie said. “I know people personally that make $80K a year collecting tickets.”
Two Presidential Emergency Boards were convened between September 2025 and last month to help resolve the dispute between the LIRR and a coalition of five rail unions representing a majority of its workforce. Both boards sided with the unions, rejecting the MTA’s proposed work rule changes and recommending wage increases, helping to set the stage for the current standoff.
The dispute involves more than 3,500 workers represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division; the Transportation Communications Union/IAM; the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Michael Sullivan, general chairman of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, said frustration is mounting among union leaders as negotiations have stalled in recent weeks, with no follow-up meetings currently scheduled.
“I’m frustrated because we didn’t really speak about anything of substance, and they were not able to even put anything on the calendar,” Sullivan said. “They said that they would reach out to us, and they have not.”
Sullivan added that the unions believe the recent recommendations by the federal mediation boards should serve as a foundation for a deal, arguing that labor has already adjusted its position, while the MTA has yet to respond with a counteroffer.
“We believe that we moved a lot off of our position twice, and they have not moved at all,” he said.
The two sides last met on March 20, continuing negotiations under federal oversight after months of delays that have repeatedly pushed back the possibility of a strike, which would be the LIRR’s first since 1994.
MTA CEO Janno Lieber stressed the financial impact of a potential walkout, and urged continued negotiations.
“It is insane for us to have a strike, not just because the harm it does to Long Islanders and to their economy, but because three days of a strike will wipe out 1.1 percent of wage raises that you are fighting for,” he said. “The nurses just finished a strike, and they had it for several weeks. And it’s no secret that a lot of people lost the value of several years of wage increases because of the duration of the strike.
“So, what we said to them is, look out for your members,” Lieber continued. “We understand you’re fighting for compensation. But let’s sit down and figure out how do we give you a little bit more money than maybe the pattern increases and offset it with some productivity improvements.”
LIRR President Rob Free, referring to the findings of the Presidential Emergency Boards, said the reports acknowledged the need to address work rules even if they were not included in the final recommendations.
“It’s important, if you read it, they also did cite that work rules were out there,” Free said, “and it was a good idea to talk about a couple of the work rules.”
Federal mediation has helped prevent a strike so far. In September, a potential walkout was avoided when federal officials stepped in and both sides agreed to continue negotiating in a cooling-off period.
If no agreement is reached by midnight on May 16, workers would be allowed to strike, which could disrupt commutes for more than 270,000 daily riders.
According to MTA payroll data from 2024, the average pay for LIRR employees before overtime is over $121,000 a year. Some 259 LIRR employees received at least $100,000 in overtime in 2024.
Some Freeport residents say they support a strike, citing inflation as reason enough. “I support the workers,” Ericka McJinx said. “It’s been three years since they’ve gotten an increase. Inflation is out of control, and makes it harder for families.”
Another resident, Steven Samuelson, said that he is fine with using alternative methods for his commute — taking a bus or taxi, or using rideshare apps like Uber — for the sake of the strike.
“I’m in favor of everyone being paid a fair wage and getting raises that at minimum keep up with inflation,” Samuelson said.
Under the Taylor Law — the state Public Employees’ Fair Employment Act — strikes by MTA workers are illegal. The law, enacted in 1967, following a transit strike in 1966, prohibits public employees from walking off the job, and provides alternative methods for resolving labor disputes. It also carries penalties for violations, including fines and loss of pay for workers and their unions.
