May 17, 2026, NEW YORK – The Long Island Rail Road Bargaining Coalition has reached a voluntary agreement with the Carrier, ending the strike and securing a settlement largely consistent with the recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board No. 253.
From the release of PEB 253 forward, the Coalition maintained that a voluntary agreement could and should be reached based on the Board’s recommendations. That position has now been realized through an agreement that preserves the core framework recommended by the Board and recognizes the value of the work performed by our members every day.
Throughout this process, the Coalition remained united in its position that wages must keep pace with inflation and that our members should not be required to accept concessions in order to achieve fair wage increases or have meaningful wage increases substituted by less impactful lump sum payments.
“Our members stood strong even when that meant economic sacrifice by going on strike. Their resolve and solidarity made it possible to secure an agreement that protects real wages and respects the value of the work performed on Long Island Rail Road every day. We are grateful to the membership for their patience, support and cooperation throughout this process,” said National President Matt Hollis.
“This agreement reflects the principles the Coalition advanced throughout this process and that both Presidential Emergency Boards ultimately affirmed,” said National Vice President Nick Peluso. “Our members never backed down from what this fight was really about. You kept this railroad moving through all of it, and you deserved an agreement that recognized that. From day one, we said fair wages should not come at the cost of giving away our agreements, and this Coalition stayed together and held that demand on the strike line. This deal gets done because the membership stayed informed, stayed engaged, and stayed united. I could not be prouder of our members.”
This agreement was made possible through the solidarity and patience of the membership throughout an extended process involving mediation and two Presidential Emergency Boards under the Railway Labor Act. The Coalition remained focused on securing an agreement that fairly values the work performed by Long Island Rail Road employees while protecting the strength of our agreements.
Additional details regarding ratification and implementation will be provided to the membership in the coming days.