Engineers at New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) are set to embark on a strike starting just after midnight this Friday, a decision that is expected to disrupt travel for approximately 100,000 daily train commuters. This potential work stoppage poses serious challenges not only for individuals commuting to workplaces but also for businesses throughout the New York metropolitan area. Additionally, it could create obstacles for concert-goers planning to attend performances by music icons Shakira and Beyoncé, both of whom have scheduled shows in the upcoming days.
The outlook for averting the impending strike appears grim as the negotiations between the railroad and its engineers have reached an impasse. A significant 87% of the rank-and-file members of the International Brotherhood of Engineers and Trainmen recently rejected a tentative agreement that would have included their first pay raise since 2019. This reflection of discontent highlights a critical labor dispute as the engineers aim to secure a fair wage for their work.
Railroad officials are strongly advising commuters who rely on NJ Transit to consider alternative means of transportation or to work remotely if their jobs permit. Historically, the NJ Transit system is the third-largest commuter railroad in the nation, with many users dependent on these trains for daily travel to employment opportunities in New York City. The prospect of a strike thus raises significant logistical concerns for the commuting public.
Should the strike proceed, congestion is likely to exacerbate traffic conditions on the bridges and tunnels connecting New Jersey and New York, including potential increases in toll charges for drivers. Commuters may have to deal with congestion pricing fees of up to $9, not to mention the additional tolls for bridges and tunnels, which can hover around twice that figure.
The rejected proposal, specific details of which remain undisclosed, was initially negotiated with the objective of securing wage increases ranging from 18% to 23% for the engineers. Union representatives point out that their members’ current compensation is about 20% lower than that of their counterparts working for Amtrak and in similar positions at three other major commuter railroads within the region.
Thomas Haas, the general chairman of the union representing the engineers, emphasized the urgency of the situation on Wednesday before NJ Transit’s board meeting, stating, “We, the locomotive engineers of NJ Transit are asking only for a fair and competitive wage.” He highlighted the precarious nature of the negotiations, insisting that they were rapidly approaching a deadline to find a resolution before the strike takes effect.
In contrast, NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri expressed cautious optimism to reporters following the board meeting, stating his belief that a strike could still be averted. He acknowledged the tight timeline, indicating, “We reached a deal once before. It unfortunately got voted down. But we have 29 hours left before a strike would start.” Kolluri also noted a recent agreement with bus drivers, illustrating that progress is possible, and has planned further discussions for Thursday to resolve the situation.
Despite ongoing conversations that he described as constructive, Kolluri reaffirmed the necessity for a deal that is “fiscally responsible.”
The implications of a strike extend beyond daily commuters. Attendees of concerts featuring Shakira at MetLife Stadium—and later Beyoncé—face significant hurdles if train service is halted, with the stadium located less than ten miles from the Lincoln Tunnel that connects New Jersey with Manhattan. Due to service cancellations, it has already been announced that concert-goers for Shakira’s performances will not have access to NJ Transit, thus adding further strain to the typically congested traffic as those relying on train service switch to personal vehicles.
Labor relations in the railroad industry face heightened complexities due to the Railway Labor Act—a century-old federal law that governs such relations and significantly constrains the unions’ ability to strike. Even if unions reject contract agreements, as has occurred here, the prevailing legal framework allows Congress to mandate continuation of services, preventing a shut-down.
The precedent set in December 2022, when Congress voted in favor of a rejected contract affecting over 100,000 workers in U.S. freight railroads, raises questions about whether similar action will occur for a commuter railroad. Historically, Congress has not intervened in the case of commuter railroad strikes, allowing many such disputes to extend for prolonged periods without legislative resolution.
Highlighting this historical aspect, New Jersey Transit faced a significant strike lasting one month back in 1983. Furthermore, during the 1980s, other commuter systems, including the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority and Metro North, saw strikes that spanned from 42 days to over three months. With these historical precedents in mind, both commuters and NJ Transit face uncertain challenges ahead as negotiations unfold in the coming hours.