5-15-26: Additional Guidance from CUNY on the Possible Long Island Rail Road Strike

TO: John Jay College Faculty and Staff
FROM: Mark Flower, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  
DATE: May 15, 2026
RE: Additional Guidance from CUNY on the Possible Long Island Rail Road Strike

Dear colleagues-

In response to the potential Long Island Railroad (LIRR) strike, CUNY has announced that the following guidelines are in effect to support employees and ensure continuity of university operations.

Alternative Transportation
While negotiations are ongoing, employees who are required to report on-site should plan ahead and identify alternative commuting options. These may include shuttle-to-subway connections, public buses, carpooling, or driving.

The MTA contingency plan relies heavily on shuttle bus service from select Long Island stations to subway lines in Queens, allowing commuters to connect to the broader NYC transit system. Shuttle bus services will be free of charge.

Employees are strongly encouraged to identify routes in advance and allow additional travel time when planning their commute.

Employees should visit MTA LIRR Strike Information for the latest updates. Some alternative transit options are as follows. 

  • Peak and Reverse-Peak Service
  • Bay Shore LIRR ↔ Howard Beach–JFK (A train)
  • Huntington LIRR ↔ Jamaica–179 St (E/F trains at Hillside Ave.)
  • Ronkonkoma LIRR ↔ Jamaica–179 St (E/F trains at Hillside Ave.)
  • Peak Service Only
  • Hempstead Lake State Park near Lakeview LIRR ↔ Howard Beach–JFK (A train)
  • Hicksville LIRR ↔ Howard Beach–JFK (A train)
  • Mineola LIRR ↔ Howard Beach–JFK (A train)
  • NICE Bus Service

Customers should also consider using NICE Bus - Service Information for travel to and from points in Queens.  As resources allow, NICE Bus will add additional service serving:

  • Freeport
  • Great Neck
  • Mineola
  • Hicksville

 Remote Work
Staff affected by the disruption may work remotely where feasible and appropriate to their role. Remote work arrangements must be approved by supervisors and aligned with departmental needs.

This option does not apply to employees designated as essential personnel or who are expected to report to campus as required. Existing remote work arrangements may be temporarily modified to ensure that critical operations continue effectively.

Flexible Scheduling
To help mitigate commuting challenges, employees may adjust their work hours in coordination with their supervisors.

Departments may:

  • Implement staggered shifts to reduce peak-hour travel demand
  • Allow for earlier or later start times depending on transit availability
  • Maintain adequate staffing coverage throughout the day

Flexible scheduling should be used to balance operational needs with employee commuting constraints.

Leave Options
Employees who are unable to commute to work should notify their supervisors as early as possible.

If remote work is not feasible, employees may use available leave balances in accordance with university policy. Supervisors should work with staff to address individual circumstances while maintaining essential services.

Expectations for Supervisors
Supervisors are expected to:

  • Provide reasonable flexibility and support to staff impacted by the disruption
  • Maintain clear and consistent communication regarding expectations
  • Ensure that essential operations and services remain uninterrupted
  • Develop contingency plans for staffing coverage as needed

These measures are intended to minimize disruption while supporting the CUNY community.