rail

LIRR Reaches Tentative Deal After Three-Day Strike; Service Resumes

The Long Island Rail Road ended a three-day work stoppage Monday evening after reaching a tentative labor agreement with a five-union coalition representing 3,500 workers. Service resumed at noon Tuesday in time for evening commuter traffic. The strike, which began Saturday, marked the first work stoppage at the commuter railroad since 1994 and affected nearly 300,000 daily riders. The coalition of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Transportation Communications Union, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers had sought 14.5% wage increases over four years. The MTA had countered with smaller increases and a $3,000 lump-sum payment. Union officials cited three years without raises and high living costs on Long Island as strike justifications. Two Presidential Emergency Boards previously supported the workers' wage position. Agreement details remain undisclosed.