Hochul breaks silence on potential LIRR strike; why she's 'immersed'

As the deadline before Long Island Railroad workers strike nears, Gov. Kathy Hochul is facing pressure to step in.

The potential strike would upend transportation for up to 300,000 commuters daily as multiple labor unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have been unable to strike a deal.

Here's an update on where negotiations stand, and what Hochul said she would do to aid talks.

Kathy Hochul on potential LIRR strike

Hochul said this week that "a strike would be terrible for everyone involved."

"That is why my team and I have been immersed in the details of what the asks are, what can be afforded, what sets the pattern for other unions," she said.

"You've got to look at the whole picture here."

The governor said that she receives daily briefings on the situation, and has "been encouraging people to get to the table."

Hochul's office was not immediately available to USA TODAY to explain what work was being done by the governor to secure a contract.

Why might LIRR workers strike?

Around 3,500 workers could go on strike as soon as Saturday. 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.

The MTA has said that if the strike happens, "LIRR service would be forced to shut down entirely."

The last strike happened in June 1994, and lasted just two days.

Updates on LIRR contract talks

Contract talks are still ongoing between unions and the MTA as of Wednesday, May 13. A release from the unions said there "has been some positive movement toward a settlement."

“While the Governor’s recent remarks on the contract dispute are encouraging and there are indications that MTA is backing off from some of their games and gimmicks, to say that we’re close is far-fetched,” Kevin Sexton, the LIRR union coalition spokesman, said in the release.