Federal officials are pressing unions for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to return to the bargaining table to avert a prolonged strike that began at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, marking the first walkout in thirty years. The strike has disrupted services for hundreds of thousands of commuters who rely on the LIRR, which spans a 118-mile area including Brooklyn, Queens, and the Hamptons. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside MTA Chairman Janno Lieber, highlighted the critical role of the LIRR in daily commuting and urged unions to negotiate a deal. The unions, representing locomotive engineers and other railroad workers, are advocating for wage increases to match the escalating cost of living, citing years without raises. Hochul criticized the previous Trump administration for cutting mediation efforts that may have prevented the strike, while Trump denied any responsibility. In response to the service disruption, Hochul has advised companies to allow employees to work from home and announced bus services for essential workers starting Monday. The MTA has warned that union demands could lead to significant fare increases.