Long Island Rail Road strike ends as MTA, unions reach tentative deal

The Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday after the MTA and five LIRR unions reached a tentative agreement, according to multiple reports and a union statement.

The deal closed out a three-day shutdown that had halted service on North America’s busiest commuter rail system. Reporting said trains were expected to begin running again Tuesday, though some morning disruption could still follow as crews repositioned equipment and restored normal operations.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen said the coalition of five unions reached a tentative contract and that the terms would be taken to members for review. The union did not immediately release the full terms of the agreement.

The strike began on May 16 after contract talks failed. Governor Kathy Hochul said over the weekend that a deal was still possible and urged both sides to keep negotiating.

AP reported that negotiators reached a deal on Monday afternoon, while CBS New York later reported that service was expected to resume Tuesday at noon. Reuters also reported that workers would end the strike after a wage deal was reached.

The tentative agreement is not yet final. Union members still need to consider and ratify the contract before it becomes permanent.