On Friday, New Jersey Transit faced significant disruptions when members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen went on strike at 12:01 a.m. The strike involved approximately 450 engineers who cited low pay as their primary grievance, stating they were the lowest-paid locomotive engineers among major U.S. railroads. The union has been seeking a new contract since October 2019 and has not received a raise in six years.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and NJ Transit President Kris Kolluri expressed a desire for a fair resolution but highlighted the financial challenges the agency faces. They stressed that agreeing to a preferential deal for this union could lead other unions to demand similar adjustments, resulting in costs potentially reaching hundreds of millions. Murphy underscored that NJ Transit is confronting a “sobering fiscal reality.”
The strike is projected to impact around 350,000 daily riders. NJ Transit warned that there would be no bus or rail service during scheduled Shakira concerts at MetLife Stadium. Picket lines began at major locations, including Penn Station in Manhattan. Union leaders criticized NJ Transit for investing in a new headquarters while neglecting fair compensation for their frontline workers.
BLET National President Mark Wallace condemned the agency’s spending priorities, insisting that the strike would continue until fair compensation was achieved. Meanwhile, Murphy and Kolluri encouraged telecommuting for those who could work from home and announced that additional bus services and park-and-ride options would be available. Despite the strike, Amtrak and PATH services remained operational. This strike marks the first significant labor action at New Jersey Transit since 1983.
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