The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), serving New York City and eastern suburbs, halts service after unionized workers walk off the job. Multiple outlets report that operations stop just after midnight on Saturday following strike action that involves five unions representing about half the railroad’s workforce. CBS News and other reports describe the LIRR as the busiest commuter rail service in North America and cite the scale of the walkout, including about 3,500 employees.
The shutdown continues into a second day, with disruption affecting rail service into Sunday as Monday rush-hour approaches, according to The Guardian and the Washington Times. Coverage also notes that this is the first strike to shut down the line in more than three decades, framing the action as a major labor dispute over pay and related issues.
Commuters respond by using alternative options such as subways, buses, and other routes, as PBS NewsHour reports. Some sources add that there are no formal negotiations underway at the time of reporting, while the strike’s timing and duration remain uncertain.
