The Long Island Rail Road, the nation's busiest commuter line, will suspend service for the first time in more than 30 years. This follows a failure between labor groups and transit officials to reach a deal on wage increases by a Friday night deadline.
The strike stems from an inability to reach an agreement on a new four-year contract. Although the MTA and unions agreed to the terms for the first three years, disputes concerning the final year have prevented a final agreement.
Nearly 300,000 passengers rely on the LIRR daily to travel between suburban Long Island, New York City, and its boroughs.