Suffolk County straphangers are stuck finding another way to work, as the Long Island Rail Road is shut down for the first workday of the week, as five unions and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials had no new negotiations scheduled, leaving hundreds of thousands of daily commuters scrambling for alternatives ahead of the Monday morning rush.
Workers walked off the job early Saturday, halting service at all LIRR stations systemwide in what is described as the first strike on the railroad in more than three decades.
The MTA said the shutdown could impact hundreds of thousands of commuters across the region. The LIRR is North America's largest commuter rail system.
More than 200 striking workers returned to picket lines Sunday morning, with organizers saying demonstrators gathered at 7 a.m. and planned to remain until 7 p.m.
Gov. Kathy Hochul held a news conference, extending what she called an "official invitation" for union leaders to return to the bargaining table.
"We don't need to be here," Hochul said. "Workers deserve better, but also New Yorkers deserve better."
Hochul also warned that three days on strike would erase every dollar of additional salary union workers stood to gain under a new contract. She urged employers to allow remote work and asked Long Islanders who could work from home Monday to do so.
By Sunday evening the National Mediation Board had summoned LIRR unions and MTA management to meet in an effort to resume bargaining.
Steven Schmidtt, president of IBEW Local 589, said union leaders were ready to negotiate.
"We have all of our general chairmen in Manhattan waiting to do so," Schmidtt said.
Workers on the picket lines said the dispute extends beyond wages.
"This is about the vitality for the job in the long term," said locomotive engineer Michael Colucci. "Making sure there is a fair and equitable contract and a future for the next generation of workers."
Signal inspector Daniel Mullay added: "It's the men in the field with the blood, sweat and tears that are keeping the rails and the lines and commuters safe."
NYC Mayor Mamdani posted information on X ahead of Monday's commute, and the MTA said shuttle bus service and Nassau Inter-County Express buses would provide additional options for commuters.