Five unions representing nearly half the Long Island Rail Road workforce are threatening a strike that could strand 300,000 daily commuters.

At a Glance

• Five LIRR unions rejected 9.5% wage offers, demanding 16% retroactive raises for 3,400 workers
• Strike could begin September 18, disrupting service for 300,000 daily commuters across New York metro
• MTA contingency plans include shuttle buses and remote work advisories
• Ryder Cup at Bethpage on September 26 faces major disruption

Union Demands and Management Standoff

Five LIRR unions have rejected management’s latest wage offer and are pressing for 16% increases. The unions argue the MTA’s 9.5% proposal fails to keep up with inflation. Their demand covers retroactive pay and affects 3,400 skilled workers, almost half the railroad’s staff.

The unions include locomotive engineers, signalmen, machinists, electricians, and communications staff. Collectively, they insist that rising living costs in New York require stronger pay adjustments. Their position breaks with other LIRR unions that accepted smaller wage patterns in recent contracts.

Watch now: LIRR Strike Looms: MTA Issues Warning

LIRR unions threaten to strike as soon as next week in contract dispute — as MTA urges riders to work from home https://t.co/xcVQf2ODIk #NewYork #Transit #MTA #LIRR #MetroNorth #NYC

— MyTransit (@MyTransitApp) September 12, 2025

Strike Clock Ticking

The National Mediation Board released both sides from talks on August 18, starting a 30-day cooling-off period. That window closes September 18, opening the door to a strike. Three unions have already authorized a walkout, with the rest due to vote by mid-September.

LIRR President Rob Free has urged unions back to the table, calling for a fair contract. But union leaders counter that workers cannot absorb further cost increases without stronger raises. They argue LIRR staff remain under pressure despite already being the nation’s highest paid in the railroad sector.

A strike would ripple across the region, crippling transit for hundreds of thousands of commuters who depend on the LIRR each weekday. The MTA warns that even with shuttle buses and staggered schedules, disruption will be severe.

Events and Economic Fallout

The strike threat comes just days before the Ryder Cup, scheduled at Bethpage State Park on September 26. The event draws global attention and thousands of visitors, many reliant on rail travel. Any disruption risks significant economic loss for Long Island businesses.

Local chambers of commerce have voiced alarm at the timing. Hotels, restaurants, and vendors face sharp downturns if visitors cannot move freely. Economists warn that even a brief strike would stall spending momentum in the region and compound congestion across highways and bridges.

The fight underscores a deeper conflict over public wage setting. Union leaders push to defend living standards, while fiscal watchdogs warn of unsustainable precedents. The outcome could shape future transit bargaining in New York and beyond.

Sources

MTA
Newsday
Empire Center
CBS New York