FRONT ROYAL, Va., Aug.19, 2025 — The National Mediation Board (NMB) has confirmed that, pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and several rail labor unions, including the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), 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), were released from statutory mediation on August 18, 2025.

With this release, a mandatory 30-day cooling-off period began on August 19, 2025. Absent voluntary agreements between the parties or intervention by the White House, Governor Hochul, or the parties requesting the establishment of a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), the unions and the Carrier will be legally permitted to exercise self-help beginning at 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 18, 2025.

At its core, the dispute comes down to this: the LIRR expects members to accept general wage increases that fail to keep pace with the cost of living, even as the Carrier’s financial outlook improves. Thanks to New York’s Congestion Pricing Program, the LIRR has significantly increased funding and ridership, with passenger levels now approaching pre-pandemic numbers. Additionally, because of the hard work performed daily by its union workforce, LIRR is setting new records for on-time performance.

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen remains committed to reaching a fair agreement that provides real wage increases without concessions. This must reflect the critical work of its members, who play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of commuter rail service on Long Island. The union will continue to bargain in good faith alongside its allied unions to secure a contract that recognizes the dedication and professionalism of the railroad workforce.