The Long Island Rail Road shut down service early Saturday after five railroad unions went on strike following the expiration of a federally mandated cooling-off period, raising concerns among commuters in Wantagh and Seaford who rely heavily on the Babylon Branch to travel to New York City each day.
The strike affects unions representing signalmen, electricians, clerks, machinists and locomotive engineers, impacting thousands of workers and disrupting travel for nearly 300,000 daily riders. Negotiations continued through the week up to the deadline, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on wages and contract terms.
For many South Shore commuters, the disruption could mean significantly longer travel times, increased traffic on Sunrise Highway and the Southern State Parkway, and uncertainty surrounding work schedules and childcare arrangements. Businesses near the Wantagh and Seaford train stations that typically see steady weekday foot traffic from commuters could also feel the impact if riders begin working remotely or avoiding station areas altogether.
“The jump in ticket prices in the last three years is ridiculous,” Wantagh resident Tara McDevitt Schwartz said. “These people are already the highest paid in the country. Start firing them and hiring people who actually just want to do their job and be happy with having benefits and a pension.”
Schwartz said she commutes from Wantagh to Grand Central three to four days each week and criticized existing service issues even before the strike.
“It’s already a joke that there is no direct train from Wantagh to Grand Central between 8:09 and 9:41,” she said. “Trains are always late. I have the ability to work from home if necessary, but many people do not. Maybe instead of giving free handouts the politicians can get the MTA under control since working people rely on the transit system to get to work.”
Joann Pizzaia, who said she relies on the LIRR five days a week, said a prolonged shutdown would create major logistical problems for commuters who cannot work remotely.
“Tuesday I can work from home, but not after that,” Pizzaia said. “I’m trying to figure out how to get to Queens to get a subway.”
Pizzaia said she does not have a reliable backup transportation plan and estimated her commute could increase by as much as two hours without train service.
Another local resident chimed in saying the strike threat reflects growing frustration among some riders over fare increases and service reliability.
“I don’t take the train so it doesn’t affect me,” the resident said, “but I feel as if the LIRR is good for two things in the last few years: raising rates on commuters and going on strike, which will most likely add to a future increase.”
Pizzaia also questioned whether the MTA’s contingency plans are realistic for South Shore commuters.
“There are no buses on the South Shore for some of the busiest areas from Bellmore and Wantagh through Babylon,” she said. “Where are we going to park?”
The last Long Island Rail Road strike occurred on June 17, 1994, lasting for two days before a contract settlement was reached. Another strike was narrowly avoided in 2014. The contract dispute centered largely on wage increases and the structure of compensation. A Presidential Emergency Board recommended a 4.5 percent wage increase for a one-year contract extension, while the MTA proposed a 3 percent across-the-board raise supplemented by lump-sum payments. Union leaders argued the lump sums would not permanently increase workers’ base salaries and continued pushing for higher recurring wage increases.
In response to the shutdown, the MTA activated its contingency plan, which includes limited weekday shuttle bus service for essential workers and commuters unable to work remotely. Shuttle buses are operating during peak commuting hours between six Long Island locations — Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake State Park near the Lakeview train station, Hicksville, Huntington, Mineola and Ronkonkoma — and subway connection points in Queens, including the Howard Beach-JFK Airport A train station and the Jamaica-179 Street F train station.
While neither Wantagh nor Seaford are designated shuttle locations, residents in both communities may need to drive to nearby transit hubs or seek alternate transportation options if the strike continues.
Like many commuters, Pizzaia said she is especially concerned about increased traffic congestion if riders are forced onto local roads.
“Long Island is very dependent on the LIRR,” she said. “Unless they want everyone driving, which would be a nightmare on the Southern State or the Long Island Expressway.”
The MTA also encouraged commuters to work remotely if possible and warned travelers to expect significant congestion and delays on roads and transit systems throughout the region. Nassau County riders were urged to consider NICE Bus service as an alternative connection to subway stations in Queens.
Pizzaia said while commuters are receiving updates about the strike, many still feel there are few practical alternatives available.
“Verbal information, yes, but no great alternatives for getting to the subways,” she said.
She also warned the effects of a prolonged strike would ripple beyond office workers into industries heavily reliant on in-person labor.
“There are many construction workers, hotel workers and people in the food business,” Pizzaia said. “Tourism will be affected.”
