LIRR Strike Ends — Tentative Deal Reached Mon Night; Service Resumes Noon Tue May 19, No Fare Hikes; Mamdani Sat Out Picket Lines
3,500 workers across 5 unions reached tentative deal late Mon May 18 after marathon talks at National Mediation Board; phased LIRR service resumed at noon Tue May 19, full service expected by evening commute. Hochul announcement: 'Delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers' — no fare hike, no new taxpayer subsidy beyond existing MTA framework. Deal still requires rank-and-file ratification by all 5 unions. Mamdani conspicuously declined to visit picket lines despite his labor-aligned platform; Gothamist (May 18) frames it as Mamdani 'sat out' the strike because he needed Hochul to close the city budget gap. Left-flank criticism from WSWS continues. Strike was first LIRR walkout in 32 years and shut down North America's largest commuter rail system for 3 days; News10 estimated $61M/day in lost commerce. Mamdani issued a statement late Mon: "I'm grateful that LIRR unions and the MTA reached an agreement tonight that recognizes both the critical importance of the LIRR and the workers who keep it running." He urged commuters to keep alternative transit plans through Tue as service phased back in. Tue May 19 status update: each of the 5 unions began briefing rank-and-file members on contract terms; ratification votes scheduled per each union's established procedure (no vote yet on Tue).
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