Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen at New Jersey Transit went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Friday, impacting a rail system that serves approximately 350,000 daily riders. The strike arose from a dispute over pay, with union representatives highlighting that their members are the lowest-paid locomotive engineers among major U.S. passenger railroads. The engineers have been without a raise for six years and have sought a new contract since October 2019.
Before the strike, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Transit President Kris Kolluri expressed their desire for a fair deal but noted they could not grant terms that would set a precedent for other unions, fearing it could lead to multi-million-dollar costs. Murphy emphasized the agency’s financial constraints, describing the situation as facing a “sobering fiscal reality.”
The union criticized New Jersey Transit for allocating funds towards a new headquarters and a fare holiday while neglecting to adequately compensate its frontline workers. BLET National President Mark Wallace condemned the agency’s priorities and declared their determination to continue the strike until fair pay is achieved.
Picket lines began at 4 a.m. Friday, affecting services and leading MetLife Stadium to warn of the absence of transit services during scheduled concerts. In response to the disruption, officials encouraged those who can work remotely to do so and announced plans for increased bus services and additional park-and-ride spots. Meanwhile, Amtrak, PATH trains, and buses continue to operate. This event marks the first strike at New Jersey Transit since 1983.
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