Long Island Rail Road-Strike

Long Island Rail Road workers, including locomotive engineer Karl Bischoff, center, picket outside Penn Station on the first day of a strike in New York, on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

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North America’s largest commuter rail system shuts down as workers strike

North America’s largest commuter rail system shuts down as workers strike

North America’s largest commuter rail system has shut down as unionized workers have gone on strike. The Long Island Rail Road in New York ceased operations early Saturday morning after five unions representing about half its workforce walked off the job. The two sides have been negotiating for months on a new contract, but the unions were legally allowed to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. The MTA has said it will provide limited shuttle buses to New York City subway stations in the event of a strike. Gov. Kathy Hochul has urged Long Islanders to work from home if possible.