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NEW YORK -- Five unions representing about half the Long Island Rail Road’s workforce walked off just after midnight Friday, shutting down service on North America’s largest commuter railroad in the first LIRR strike in three decades. Governor Kathy Hochul, standing with Metropolitan Transportation Authority leaders, urged union negotiators to return to the table and resume bargaining before Monday’s morning commute, offering an open invitation to resume discussions. Hochul warned that a prolonged work stoppage would hurt workers and the hundreds of thousands of commuters who rely on the railroad, and said workers would forfeit gains from a proposed contract if the strike continued for several days. Agency officials said negotiations have stalled over wages and health care premiums after months of talks; union leaders say members need larger raises to keep up with rising living costs after years without increases, while the MTA says the unions’ demands would overwhelm its budget. The state arranged buses for essential riders from six Long Island locations starting at 4 a.m. Monday and urged employers to allow remote work where possible. The Trump administration attempted to broker a deal but failed to reach one before unions were legally allowed to strike.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.