The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, representing over 450 train engineers for New Jersey Transit, successfully negotiated a new contract following a three-day strike that disrupted service for approximately 350,000 passengers. The strike, the first in over 40 years for NJ Transit, began on May 16 after stalled contract discussions focused primarily on wage increases.
On May 18, a deal was announced by NJ Transit and Governor Phil Murphy, allowing train services to resume by May 20 to allow for necessary inspections of tracks and rail cars. Union leadership noted that the agreement addressed pay concerns, pushing wages above previous proposals rejected by union members. Tom Haas, the union’s chairman, highlighted that the new wage increases would assist in recruitment and retention without imposing budget strain or fare hikes.
The discussions had previously broken down, with both sides blaming one another: NJ Transit claimed they couldn’t meet the union’s salary demands, while the union sought to align their salaries with engineers from competing regional systems.
The strike disrupted NJ Transit’s extensive bus and rail network, prompting the agency to suggest that commuters consider remote work options. Now, the contract must be voted on by union members and subsequently approved by NJ Transit’s board. Gov. Murphy called the settlement both fair and responsible, emphasizing its necessity for the riders dependent on the system. State officials expressed relief at the resolution, stressing the importance of public transit to New Jersey’s economy and quality of life, and recognizing the need to strengthen and secure the transit system for the future.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
