LIRR strike shuts down the nation’s largest commuter rail after stalled talks

Long Island Rail Road workers walked off for the first time since 1994, halting service on the country’s largest commuter rail after negotiations with the MTA collapsed. About 3,500 employees were involved, with the union seeking wage increases and healthcare concessions; reports indicate workers were willing to scale back some wage demands in exchange for healthcare cost relief, highlighting a clash over pay and benefits that could affect riders and trigger contingency plans.