LIRR riders brace for long commutes as strike enters its third day
Summary
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike entered its third day, causing major travel problems for thousands of commuters. Union talks with the MTA have not yet led to a deal, and shuttle buses are running but cannot handle all passengers, leading to crowded subways and heavier road traffic.Key Facts
- The strike is due to a dispute over the last year of a four-year contract between the MTA and unions.
- The MTA offered a 9.5% wage increase but proposed raising healthcare costs for new hires from 2% to 10%.
- The unions are asking for a modest wage raise and do not want health insurance costs to increase.
- The MTA says LIRR workers are the highest-paid railroad employees in the U.S. and has made several new offers.
- 275 free shuttle buses run from six LIRR stations to Queens but can carry only 13,000 riders daily, far fewer than the usual 250,000 LIRR riders.
- Commuters are advised to work from home if possible.
- Even if a strike deal is reached, LIRR service will take at least a day to restart after safety checks.
- The strike is causing crowded subways and congested roads on Long Island and in New York City.
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