LIRR strike enters Day 3; talks resume 7:30AM Monday with MTA "cautious optimism"

3,500 LIRR workers across five unions remain on strike for a third day after a 12:01AM Sat May 16 walkout — the first LIRR strike in 32 years. Talks resumed 7:30AM Monday with MTA Chairman Janno Lieber describing "cautious optimism" and "progress." The National Mediation Board summoned both sides to Manhattan on Sunday. The core fight is the 4th-year wage (unions 5%, MTA 3% + cash split-the-difference one-shot). ~300K daily riders affected. Hochul urged WFH Monday; Mamdani has framed his role as a contingency coordinator with the state, drawing left-flank criticism (WSWS, DSA-adjacent) for not endorsing the workers verbally.

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