New Jersey Transit and the union representing its train engineers are edging nearer to a potential strike, possibly taking effect next week. Efforts to avoid this situation involve both parties attending a meeting with a federal mediation board in Washington. The National Mediation Board has mandated that both parties participate in discussions on Monday to attempt to resolve their differences, as confirmed by both parties on Friday.
The looming strike poses a significant threat to commuters across New Jersey, potentially beginning on May 16. New Jersey Transit, which operates an essential network of buses and trains within the state, facilitates nearly a million daily trips, including routes into New York City. In preparation for a possible rail strike, the agency has planned to bolster its bus services; however, the buses alone will not suffice to accommodate the usual volume of rail passengers.
Disagreement over a recent labor deal was a key trigger for the potential strike. In mid-April, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen decisively voted down a proposed labor agreement. Both parties had initially agreed that the preliminary deal promised a “reasonable wage increase” for union members and addressed a prolonged grievance, but the agreement ultimately fell apart.
The roots of the labor dispute trace back to 2019, when the last contract with train engineers expired. Since then, the union and NJ Transit have been embroiled in conflict. Union leaders argue that the engineers have not received a raise in the past five years, exacerbating tensions that have now evolved into the threat of a strike.