Hochul, MTA largely cave to striking LIRR union workers – but insist taxpayers won’t be financially crushed
Governor Kathy Hochul and the MTA have reached an agreement with striking Long Island Rail Road union workers, granting them a 4.5% pay increase. The deal aims to avoid financial burdens on taxpayers and riders, despite the union's initial demand for a 5% raise. Full train service is expected to resume following the end of the three-day strike.
- ▪The agreement includes a 4.5% pay hike for LIRR union workers.
- ▪Union members will also receive retroactive raises of 3% for 2023, 3% for 2024, and 3.5% for 2025.
- ▪The new contract will expire in August 2027 and includes a $3,000 lump sum payment.
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Metro Hochul, MTA largely cave to striking LIRR union workers – but insist taxpayers won’t be financially crushed By Haley Brown, Brandon Cruz, Vaughn Golden and David Propper Published May 19, 2026, 3:19 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA largely caved to striking Long Island Rail Road union workers — granting them a 4.5% pay hike — even while insisting the new deal won’t financially crush riders or taxpayers. The increase was only slightly less than the 5% salary jump that the 3,500 workers from five labor groups were pushing for in the proposed contract that fueled a three-day rail strike and chaotic travel for thousands of New Yorkers.
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