Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Patrick Cashin
The action began on the night of May 16 and became the first strike on the LIRR for the last 32 years, Reuters reports. As a result, the largest U.S. commuter rail system, which is used daily by about 300,000 passengers, has stopped.
According to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union, the railroad’s employees have been working for more than three years without a pay raise. Negotiations with the management reached an impasse, after which the employees decided to stop working.
“This strike would not have happened if the MTA and LIRR had offered our members reasonable terms,” said union head Mark Wallace.
The strike has already caused transportation chaos in New York City and the suburbs, with thousands of commuters seeking alternative ways to get to work. Authorities are warning of serious traffic delays and overloaded bus routes.
According to Reuters, back in January, President Donald Trump created a special commission to resolve the conflict between the unions and the management of the railroad. However, the parties failed to reach an agreement.
