Deal reached to end major strike in New York metropolitan area

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

Negotiators have reached a deal to end the three-day strike on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday night.

"Tonight, the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) reached a fair deal with the five LIRR unions that delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers. I'm pleased to announce that phased LIRR service will resume beginning tomorrow at noon," Hochul said in a post on X.

Service on the Long Island Rail Road will not fully resume until noon on Tuesday, after the morning rush hour.

The National Mediation Board, the federal agency that oversees labor relations for railroads and airlines, summoned union leaders and the MTA management to a meeting Sunday evening to resume bargaining. Both sides continued talks on Monday, local media reported.

The current deal still needs to be ratified by members of the five unions that went on strike. If it is rejected, the strike could resume.

More than 3,500 workers at the nation's busiest commuter rail system have been on strike since midnight Saturday, affecting hundreds of thousands of commuters across the New York metropolitan area.

On Monday, the MTA, which operates the railroad, offered free but limited shuttle bus service, while commuters switched to alternatives.

The MTA and leaders of the five labor unions have been negotiating a new contract since 2023, but talks stalled over salaries and healthcare premiums, according to local media.

This is the LIRR's first strike in more than 30 years and the fourth in its history. Previous strikes occurred in 1980, 1987 and 1994, lasting between two and 11 days.