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9/12/2025
New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority is preparing for a labor strike on its Long Island Rail Road that could begin as early as Sept. 18.
The strike may occur due to five unions rejecting a three-year contract that offered 9.5% wage increases over three years, MTA officials said in a press release.
About half of the commuter railroad's workforce has accepted the contract, while a bargaining coalition of five unions are demanding a higher raise, MTA officials said. The MTA will offer limited shuttle buses for essential workers if a strike occurs, but authority officials are asking commuters to work from home if possible.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Transportation Communication Union have banded together to dispute the contract.
The National Mediation Board on Aug. 18 released those three unions from board-sponsored mediation. which triggered a 30-day cooling period. At the end of the 30 days, one of the parties could request that the President Trump create a Presidential Emergency Board to avert the strike.
BLET members working for the LIRR are currently voting on a strike authorization. Ballots are due Sept. 15.