NJ Transit workers have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract, setting the stage for a potential strike on the railroad next month.
More than 87% of unionized engineers rejected the deal, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen said Tuesday. A strike could start as soon as May 15.
“We want to have uninterrupted rail service for all who depend on it, but we also want to reach a fair agreement for engineers,” BLET Vice President James Louis said in a statement. “If we fail to reach an agreement in the next month, we’re prepared to strike.”
The union and NJ Transit announced a deal on March 12, just 10 days before a potential strike. But the deal still needed the approval of rank-and-file BLET members, and they were evidently unimpressed.
At the time, both sides said the agreement included a “reasonable” wage increase, but on Tuesday the union said wages were still a sticking point.
“We earn less than our peers at other commuter railroads that share the same platforms,” BLET Chairman Tom Haas said. “This vote count makes it clear, more needs to be done.”
NJ Transit engineers have been working without a contract since their last one expired on Dec. 31, 2019. The union approved a strike back in August 2023, but federal railroad labor laws call for an extended process before workers actually walk off the job.
The last NJ Transit labor dispute, back in 2016, went into the final hours before a deal was reached and a strike was averted. NJ Transit engineers have gone on strike before, hitting the picket lines for 34 days in 1983.
“My focus remains on reaching a fair and sustainable agreement that works for everyone and ensures NJ Transit can continue to provide the reliable service our customers count on,” railway CEO Kris Kolluri said in a statement.
More than 900,000 people ride NJ Transit buses and trains every day, and it’s considered the third largest commuter railroad in the nation.
With News Wire Services
