Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

05/19/2026

Strike over as labor coalition reaches tentative agreement with Long Island Rail Road

The coalition of five labor unions, including BLET, today ended their 3-day strike at Long Island Rail Road after coming to terms on a tentative contract. The strike began just after midnight on Saturday, May 16.

Terms of the agreement will be sent to the BLET’s 500 members who work as locomotive engineers for the LIRR for their consideration. Contract language and dollar figures will be announced to the public after BLET members have had an opportunity to review.

Combined, the five unions represent 3,500 members, a majority of the unionized workforce at LIRR. The nation’s busiest commuter railroad with 250,000 daily passengers, LIRR is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Agency (MTA).

“This tentative agreement was made possible by the unity and solidarity of all five coalition unions,” said Mark Wallace, President of the BLET and the Teamsters Rail Conference. “Throughout these negotiations, our members stood together for a fair agreement that recognizes the dedication and sacrifices railroad workers make every day while keeping pace with the rising cost of living. This was never about seeking more than what is fair — it was about securing the respect and economic security our members have earned. We appreciate the support and patience of the riding public, and now the final decision rests with the membership.”

Negotiations on behalf of BLET were led by Vice President Jim Louis, Vice President Kevin Sexton, and BLET LIRR General Chairman Gil Lang.

General wage increases were a major focus throughout negotiations. In spite of rising inflation and the high cost of living on Long Island, BLET and fellow union coalition members have gone nearly four years without raises throughout the process of bargaining for a new contract.

In addition to BLET, the coalition of five LIRR rail unions includes the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU).

In the coming days, the BLET National Division will begin to conduct a ratification vote by electronic ballot for the 500 BLET members eligible to vote.

05/18/2026

BLET members stay united in their strike of Long Island Rail Road along with a coalition of four other rail unions and 3000 workers. In accordance with the terms of the Railway Labor Act, the coalition’s 3,500 members went on strike just after midnight on Saturday, May 16. They have gone more than three years without raises throughout the process of bargaining for a new contract.

“To every LIRR passenger whose trip is disrupted, know that the MTA left us no choice but to strike,” said Gil Lang, General Chairman of the BLET’s LIRR General Committee. “We don’t want to be on the picket line. But after three years without raises, we cannot make any more compromises to cover for the MTA’s mismanagement.”

05/18/2026

05/17/2026

Solidarity from Teamster Rail Conference affiliate Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes as President Tony Cardwell walks the picket line with striking BLET members and LIRR rail workers. Present but not pictured was BMWED’s Jeffery R. Joines, Director of Government Affairs. Thanks for the support BMWED!

05/17/2026

UNION STRONG!

A coalition of five unions, including BLET went on strike at the Long Island Rail Road on 12:01 am on May 16. BLET and fellow coalition railroaders have gone more than three years without raises throughout the process of bargaining for a new contract.

In addition to BLET, the coalition of five LIRR rail unions includes the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and the Transportation Communications Union (TCU).

“To every LIRR passenger whose trip is disrupted, know that the MTA left us no choice but to strike,” said Gil Lang, General Chairman of the BLET’s LIRR General Committee. “We don’t want to be on the picket line. But after three years without raises, we cannot make any more compromises to cover for the MTA’s mismanagement.”

05/17/2026

In a show of union solidarity, Sara Nelson and Mike Baldwin joined BLET members on the picket line yesterday in their strike of the Long Island Rail Road. She serves as the International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) and Mike is President of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen.

Pictured here, from left: BLET National S-T David Estes, BLET National President Mark Wallace, BRS President Baldwin, AFA President Nelson, and BLET First Vice President Gary Best.

BLET thanks them for the support!

05/17/2026

500 BLET members striking Long Island Rail Road continue to hold the line along with a coalition of four other rail unions and 3000 workers. BLET and fellow coalition railroaders have gone more than three years without raises throughout the process of bargaining for a new contract.

LIRR is the nation’s busiest commuter railroad with 300,000 daily passengers. LIRR is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Agency (MTA). This is the first strike at the carrier in 32 years.

Said Mark Wallace, President of the BLET and the Teamsters Rail Conference: ”We hope LIRR gets serious soon to avoid further unnecessary disruptions for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. They know where to find us when they’re ready: on the streets.”