NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road, North America's largest commuter rail system, was shut down on Saturday after unionized workers went on strike for the first time in three decades.

The railroad, which serves New York and its eastern suburbs, ceased operations just after midnight after five unions representing about half its workforce walked off the job.

The unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or MTA, the public agency that runs the railroad, have been negotiating for months on a new contract, with talks stalled over the question of workers' salaries and healthcare premiums.

Kevin Sexton, national vice-president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said no new talks have been scheduled.

The railroad's Manhattan hub, Penn Station, was devoid of its usual weekend bustle on Saturday afternoon. Only a few dozen people were seen traversing the main concourse, many dragging rolling luggage from departing or arriving Amtrak trains, which aren't affected by the strike.

Departure boards normally showing upcoming trains by destination instead listed ghost trains marked "No Passengers." A few signs affixed to customer service windows explained that the railroad was shut down because of a strike.

Access to platforms was blocked off with barricades and roll-down gates as MTA police officers stood sentry, directing people to alternative transportation.

Five unions representing more than 3,500 workers, including ticket clerks, locomotive engineers, signalmen, electricians and machinists, walked off the job, according to local media reports.

The unions failed to reach a deal with railroad management on wages and work rules on Friday. No further negotiations have been scheduled.

The impact of the strike is expected to be felt most severely on Monday, when nearly 300,000 commuters travel in and out of New York. Riders will need to seek alternatives such as buses, though limited service can accommodate only about 13,000 passengers each in the morning and evening, or drive despite persistently high gas prices.

Duane O'Connor, who was picketing on Saturday morning at Penn Station, said that while he regrets the impact on commuters, workers are simply asking for fair wages.

"I feel terrible. Terrible. This is going to hurt. This is going to hurt the island, this is going to hurt the city … All we are asking for is fair wages," he said.

This is the LIRR's first strike in more than 30 years and the fourth in its history. Previous strikes occurred in 1980, 1987 and 1994, lasting between two and 11 days.

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