NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Transit, in collaboration with the union for rail engineers, announced on Monday that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract, successfully averting a potential strike.
The announcement was made jointly by NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri and Thomas Haas, the general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. The proposal now awaits a vote by union members, which is scheduled to take place next month.
While specific details of the agreement remain undisclosed, the statement highlighted a “reasonable wage increase” for union members and the resolution of a longstanding grievance. Efforts to obtain further information from both organizations are ongoing.
The statement further mentioned, “This agreement reflects NJ TRANSIT’s dedication to fairness, efficiency, innovation, and ensuring long-term financial stability. It guarantees uninterrupted rail service for the 100,000 individuals who rely on it daily.”
James P. Louis, the union’s vice president, commented on CEO Kris Kolluri’s contribution, saying he brought a “new perspective” to the negotiations. Kolluri, who assumed his role in January, played a crucial part in forming an agreement that is deemed worthy of member consideration.
In the previous summer, an executive order by President Joe Biden established a board to address the dispute, which raised concerns of a possible strike as early as March 2025. New Jersey Transit, which operates both bus and rail services, facilitates approximately 925,000 trips on weekdays. The labor issues have been in existence since 2019, following the expiration of the engineers’ previous contract.
