The Commuter Rail Crisis: What It Means for Workers and Riders Alike The shutdown of North America's largest commuter rail system, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), has left working class Americans facing yet another struggle.
As unionized workers walked off the job in search of better wages and benefits, commuters were forced to find alternative routes into New York City.
Failed contract negotiations between the MTA and five unions representing half of the system's workforce have been ongoing for months.