LIRR workers go on strike, impacting commuters in NYC

NEW YORK (CBS, KYMA) - Tens of thousands of commuters in New York City will be impacted after a strike officially shut down the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) just after midnight Saturday.

This is the railroad's first strike since 1994.

The strike went into effect after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and five unions representing 3,500 workers failed to reach a deal on a new four-year contract.

The sides agreed to the terms of the first three years, but disputes arose over the final year.

Picketers from the unions protested outside Penn Station and the Ronkonkoma Station Saturday morning.

No new negotiating sessions have been announced.