As New Jersey inches closer to a potential transit strike that could disrupt the daily commute for hundreds of thousands, NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) are heading to Washington, D.C. for a last-minute mediation attempt. According to CBS News, the National Mediation Board has scheduled a meeting for the two parties on May 12.
The looming strike, which could commence after midnight on May 16 has been precipitated by longstanding disputes over engineer salaries and contract negotiations that have apparently reached an impasse, talks between NJ Transit and the union broke down making a labor action seem all the more likely, despite NJ Transit's contingency plans which include enhanced bus services and alternative transport modes.
NJ Transit has stated that they offered engineers a wage rate of $49.82 per hour, aimed at matching the pay rate of Long Island Rail Road engineers - an industry benchmark the BLET expressed desires to meet, but the union contends that figure misrepresents the timing and comparison, as stated by BLET General Chairman Tom Haas who, according to a CBS News interview, clarified, "The number he's talking about, the $49 an hour for us, would be in 2027, and for the Long Island Rail Road, who are also without an agreement, that's from I believe 2022."
NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri voiced his intent to avoid a strike, emphasizing the importance of not disrupting the lives of the 350,000 riders reliant on NJ Transit services daily. This sentiment was reflected throughout the negotiations, with both sides apparently aiming to bridge their differences before a potential halt in services forces commuters to seek alternatives. Kolluri’s stance was reported by NBC New York which cited his willingness to engage in further mediation talks.
