New Jersey Transit commuter rail engineers started their walkout on early Friday morning after collective bargaining talks collapsed on the eve of a midnight deadline their union had imposed to negotiate wage demands. This is the first strike in the country’s third-largest transit system in more than 40 years.
The walkout began at 12:01 a.m. EDT, prompting NJ Transit to order a ‘safe shutdown’, refusing to allow any new train to depart after that hour. Existing trains that were on their routes were permitted to finish their runs.
Speaking for 450 engineers, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen reported that Thursday’s 15-hour non-stop bargaining collapsed after NJ Transit management staged a walkout at 10 p.m.
At a press conference, Governor Phil Murphy and NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri confirmed talks had paused but emphasized management’s willingness to resume negotiations anytime.
“We must reach a final deal that is both fair to employees and affordable,” Murphy stated. “Let’s get back to the table and seal a deal.”
The U.S. National Mediation Board contacted both sides, proposing to restart talks on Sunday morning or sooner if desired.
The union did not say when talks could resume but said picket lines will be established at 4 a.m. at a variety of sites, including NJ Transit headquarters in Newark, New York City’s Penn Station, and the Atlantic City rail terminal.
Murphy and Kolluri also revealed contingency plans to respond to the effect of the work stoppage, the first transit strike in New Jersey since a three-week walkout in 1983.
NJ Transit had previously canceled buses and trains to MetLife Stadium for pop singer Shakira’s concerts last Thursday and Friday nights because of threatened strikes. People were told to telecommute starting Friday if they can.
As a substitute, NJ Transit expects to provide additional bus service on regular routes and charter private buses from satellite parking lots. Buses will only be able to accommodate about 20% of rail passengers.
The union work stoppage follows a proposed March agreement union members voted overwhelmingly against.
The union is trying to bring engineers’ salaries more in line with those of other regional commuter railroads.
NJ Transit argues it cannot pay the raises demanded, worrying that awarding increases to engineers would prompt 14 other unions to seek the same increases.
Today, engineers allegedly make a $135,000 average salary, with management making a deal that brings that average up to $172,000. The union disagrees, citing the present average at $113,000.
Both sides have accused one another of bad faith bargaining.
Kolluri last week charged the union with “playing a game of chicken with the lives of 350,000 riders.
Tom Haas, general chairman of the union, stated, “We have asked for nothing more than equal pay for equal work, only to be repeatedly rebuffed by New Jersey Transit.”
