Long Island Rail Road faces possible May 16 strike as unions and MTA clash over wages

Unions representing about 3,500 Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) workers – a coalition of five unions – have walked away from contract talks with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). After a meeting on May 7, the unions said the agency offered one‑time lump‑sum payments and a 3% wage increase for 2026, while they are demanding a 5% raise and work‑rule changes. The parties have agreed on retroactive 9.5% raises for 2023‑2025, but remain at an impasse over the 2026 increase.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber called a strike “crazy,” arguing a work stoppage would wipe out any wage gains. Nevertheless, the unions plan a rally at the Massapequa LIRR station on May 9 and have threatened to walk off the job on May 16. A strike could halt rail service, force commuters onto highways, and trigger limited bus shuttles and other contingency measures.