Are LIRR workers going on strike? What commuters need to know

The deadline that will determine if Long Island Railroad workers go on strike is fast-approaching.

Multiple labor unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have held contract talks that will ultimately decide if workers walk out. The parties have yet to come to a deal.

Here's what to know on the deadline this week, and what to expect if the strike goes through.

Why are LIRR workers threatening to go on strike?

Around 3,500 workers could go on strike this week. The MTA says that up to 300,000 people daily would be impacted.

The rail unions are calling for a 5% raise for the fourth year of their contracts, which begins in June 2026, after coming to an agreement on its first three years. The MTA has offered 3%, and has said it could go up to 4.5% if certain concessions were made.

What day would LIRR workers go on strike?

A strike could happen as soon as Saturday, May 16.

Talks are ongoing between the agency and unions. The MTA has said that if the strike happens, "LIRR service would be forced to shut down entirely."

“It’s clear that the MTA’s strategy up until now — if you can call it that — is to deflect, distort, dither and denigrate," Michael Sullivan, general chairman of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, said in a statement.

"It’s time for management to get serious about negotiating wages.”

On Saturday, May 9, union members and others held a rally in Massapequa for “A Day of Action to Protest MTA’s Inaction.”

"Throughout this negotiation the MTA has put forward ideas to avoid a strike while the unions stuck with their push for budget-busting wage increases funded by fare increases and tax hikes that would unduly burden working New Yorkers," MTA Communications Director Tim Minton said in a statement on the rally.

"We need to work together to close a deal and keep Long Island moving."

What should I take if the LIRR does shut down?

The MTA advised commuters to work from home if possible, and give yourself extra time if you have to travel.

"Unfortunately, there is no substitute for the Long Island Rail Road, and its shutdown will cause severe congestion and delays," the agency said.

Limited shuttle buses will be offered weekdays, running during peak hours, if the strike happens: toward Manhattan from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and to Long Island from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The buses would go from/to six Long Island locations to subway transfer points in Queens, the agency says.

Here's the list:

• Bay Shore (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A)
• Hempstead Lake State Park, near Lakeview (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A)
• Hicksville (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A)
• Huntington (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St (F)
• Mineola (LIRR) to Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A)
• Ronkonkoma (LIRR) to Jamaica-179 St (F)