NJ Transit engineers on strike after contract negotiations fail — wreaking havoc on commuters

Yahoo

16-05-2025

NJ Transit has failed to reach a contract agreement with locomotive engineers, resulting in the first major transit strike to hit New Jersey since 1983.
The rail system had been warning commuters for days to expect major service disruptions across its network in the event of a strike, which could affect its 70,000 daily riders going into Manhattan.
Overall, 350,000 commuters across the state could be affected, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday night.
'After 15 hours of non-stop contract talks today, no agreement on a wage increase was reached this evening,' the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union said in a statement about 30 minutes before the 11:59 p.m. deadline.
BLET said that New Jersey Transit managers 'walked out of the talks shortly before 10 pm and through their actions have forced a strike despite the transit agency having the funds for a raise.'
'Trains that usually run 365 days a year will come to a stop.'
BLET had been seeking its first pay increase since 2019 for 450 of its engineers, a source familiar with the negotiations told The Post, adding that NJ Transit could fully fund the sought increase with a seven-and-a-half-year contract for less than $30 million.
During a late-night press conference Thursday night, Murphy was informed by a reporter that the union planned to steam ahead with its strike early Friday.
'That's the union's decision. It sounds like they made that decision,' the Democrat said when asked about the walk-off.
A banner across NJ Transit's website shortly after midnight alerted riders that, due to the strike, all services were suspended.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said while there are other transit options that are still operational, including expanded bus services, he urged commuters to work from home on Friday if possible.
'If you're able to work from home, we really would ask you to do that,' he implored.
The two sides appeared close on compensation, but the structure of the contract proposed by the union was the sticking point because other labor groups could invoke a clause that could also bump their pay, Kolluri said.
Kolluri and Murphy argued that the transit agency offered the union a fair deal — but what workers demanded could spell financial doom.
'This is an achievable deal,' Kolluri said. 'We just need to make sure we do it in a fiscally responsible manner.'
Another round of negotiations could be set for Sunday morning, Murphy said.
'We must reach a final deal that is fair to employees and is at the same time affordable for New Jersey's commuters and taxpayers,' Murphy emphasized.
BLET National President Mark Wallace slammed NJ Transit leaders for failing to reach a deal.
'NJ Transit has a half-billion dollars for a swanky new headquarters and a $53 million for decorating the interior of that unnecessary building,' he said, per 1010 WINS.
'They gave away $20 million in revenue during a fare holiday last year. They have money for penthouse views and pet projects, just not for their front-line workers.'
The rail service's proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2026 came in at $3.2 billion.
Negotiations were ongoing with mediators in Newark through the May 15 deadline, but the sides could not come to the bargaining table in time to avoid a work stoppage.
The union said in a statement Thursday that its engineers are the 'lowest paid locomotive engineers working for a commuter railroad in the nation' — claims NJ Transit has denied.
With the strike on, its members will form picket lines across the system starting at 4 a.m. Friday morning, at locations that include outside NJ Transit's Headquarters in Newark (2 Gateway Center), Penn Station in New York City (8th Avenue and 33rd Street entrance) and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal.
NJ Transit posted flyers and digital signage at major transit hubs in recent days, including the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, warning of a 'critical service advisory' and that customers should 'complete their travels and arrive at their final destination no later than 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.'
The Garden State-owned rail system also has requested riders work from home when possible during the strike and limit traveling on the system to 'essential purposes only.'
NJ Transit said on its website that starting Friday, it would be focusing its available resources on the 'largest segment of its rail customer base — the more than 70,000 New York-bound customers,' including those who transfer from rail to PATH trains at Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station.
Travelers are being directed to njtransit.com/railstoppage for additional information and updates.
Big Apple Mayor Eric Adams assured commuters that officials are 'monitoring the situation for any impacts, and there will be shuttles in place to try and mitigate crowding,' he wrote on X Thursday night, urging riders to 'plan ahead' before the strike got underway.
He said that NYC Emergency Management is 'closely coordinating' with NJ Transit ahead of the disruptions and shared a statement from the agency.
'We are preparing public alerts and citywide coordination efforts to reduce delays and keep New York moving,' NYCEM said on X earlier Thursday.
It said it would have at 'key transit hubs and intersections' to 'support real-time monitoring and response, tracking commuter impacts, traffic conditions, and disruption.
'If a rail strike happens, be prepared for crowding, delays, and limited capacity on other transit options. Please plan your travel in advance, give yourself extra time, and consider telecommuting if feasible.'