LIRR strike ends after MTA and unions reach new agreement

NEW YORK (NBC, KYMA) - The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike is ending after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and unions reached a new agreement Monday night.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) announced the agreement, bringing relief to the nearly 250,000 daily riders who depend on the nation's largest commuter rail system.

"Negotiations are rarely easy, but I have a lot of respect for the collective bargaining process that unfolded over the last few days. And I always believed that we could reach a good, fair compromise. A contract that achieved two principles. Number one, protecting affordability for Long Islanders and commuters, while giving fair wages to the employees. And by working and negotiating together, we have reached that kind of deal."

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.)

The strike began Saturday after years of contract negotiations between the MTA and five unions representing about half of the railroad's workforce.

Even with a deal in place, officials say service will not fully return in time for Tuesday morning's commute.

Because an agreement was finalized so late Monday, crews still need time to prepare trains and rail operations.

Officials say trains are expected to begin running again around noon on Tuesday, with service returning in phases.

It remains unclear when the system will be back to full capacity.

The MTA is urging commuters to plan ahead and expect continued delays as operations gradually resume.