LIRR Strike Looms for Saturday May 16 — 3,500 Workers Across 5 Unions vs MTA as Negotiations Drag, Service Cuts and Fare-Hike Threats Float

The Long Island Rail Road is staring at a possible strike on Saturday May 16 if the MTA and the five unions representing ~3,500 engineers, signalmen and trainmen do not reach a deal. MTA is publicly bracing — warning of fare hikes and service cuts if union demands are met. A walkout would be the first LIRR shutdown in decades and would land squarely in Mamdani's first-100-days transit narrative just as his MTA board seats remain unfilled.

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