NJ Transit strike update: How long it could last, impact on Shakira concert, demands, and everything to know
Commuters in the New York City and New Jersey area are in for what is likely to be a weekend of increased congestion and more limited transit options after the engineers who run the New Jersey Transit rail system voted to go on strike.
That strike is now in effect and could continue throughout the weekend—and potentially even longer. Here’s what you need to know about the NJ Transit strike.
What’s happened?
On Thursday, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmenannounced that its members who run the trains in the New Jersey Transit Corporation, better known as NJ Transit, were officially on strike. The strike came after the BLET and NJ Transit failed to reach a deal on a new contract for the approximately 450 engineers and trainees who run the railway and are represented by the union.
The main issue centers around a disagreement on wage increases for the workers. News of the strike is no doubt a disappointment to the 100,000 NYC and NJ commuters who use the line daily, especially after both sides were reportedly “close” to a deal.
Talks between both sides went on for 15 hours on Thursday and ended shortly before 10 p.m., reports CNN. The strike then officially began at 12:01 a.m., today, Friday, May 16.
It is the first time union members working for New Jersey Transit have gone on strike in 42 years. The last time NJ Transit workers took to the picket lines was in 1983.
What do the striking rail workers want?
The BLET’s union members are striking because no acceptable deal was reached on wage increases for its members. In a notice announcing the strike, BLET says that its NJ Transit members have not received a raise for five years.
The union also notes that NJ Transit engineers “make at least less per hour” than the engineers for other passenger railroads that share the same train platforms as the ones used by NJ Transit.
“NJ Transit has a half-billion dollars for a swanky new headquarters and million for decorating the interior of that unnecessary building,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said in a prepared statement. “They gave away million in revenue during a fare holiday last year. They have money for penthouse views and pet projects, just not for their front-line workers. Enough is enough. We will stay out until our members receive the fair pay that they deserve.”
In addition to the strike now in effect, from 4 a.m. this morning BLET members began picketing at multiple locations, including NJ Transit’s Newark headquarters, New York’s Penn Station, and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal in Atlantic City.
The union says that “despite the transit agency having the funds for a raise,” NJ Transit managers walked out of talks before 10 p.m. on Thursday.
What does NJ Transit say?
NJ Transit, for its part, has posted a fact sheet about the strike, which lays out six claims and what the transit agency says are the “facts” about the claims.
NJ Transit says that it offered BLET members a “competitive wage and benefits package that all 14 other rail labor unions accepted in 2021.”
It also says that under its offer, NJ Transit locomotive engineers would have seen their average total earnings rise from per year now to as of July 1, 2027.
The transit agency says these wages are “competitive within the region” and higher than the wages Philadelphia’s SEPTA workers receive.
It concedes that the wages are lower than those received by MTAworkers in New York, but it adds, “It isn’t reasonable to live and work in New Jersey, but demand to be paid like you live and work in New York.”
How long could the strike last?
That is impossible to tell at this point.
In theory, NJ Transit and BLET could agree to return to the negotiating table at any time—although that’s unlikely to happen today. However, on Thursday, NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said that both sides are currently scheduled to start negotiating again on Sunday.
But just because negotiations are scheduled—or even begin—doesn’t mean the strike will be called off anytime soon. Indeed, if BLET would call off the strike, it may lessen the pressure on NJ Transit to meet their demands.
CNN notes that when Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authorityworkers went on strike in the 1980s, the strike lasted for 108 days. A strike of Metro-North workers lasted 42 days, and a strike of Long Island Railroad workers lasted 11 days.
What should I do if I plan to use NJ Transit today?
You should rethink your travel plans.
NJ Transit has posted a notice warning of the “complete suspension” of services on its rail lines. The agency says it “strongly encourages all those who can work from home to do so and limit traveling on the NJ TRANSIT system to essential purposes only.”
However, if you do need to commute, the agency says that it is “adding very limited capacity” to existing New York commuter routes on its bus services.
The agency also says that from May 19, its regional Park & Ride service “will operate on a first come, first served basis.”
Commuters who need to use NJ transit during the strike are strongely encouraged to check out the agency’s rail strike information page here.
What if I’m seeing the Shakira or Beyoncé concerts?
From this weekend, there are also two large music events planned in the area that NJ Transit normally serves. The first is the Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which begins at 7:30 p.m. tonight, May 16.
Then, Beyoncé is scheduled to perform at the same stadium for five nights between May 22 and May 29.
MetLife Stadium has posted some travel options for concertgoers who are seeing the Shakira show tonight. The stadium points out that there will be no NJ Transit bus or rail service to the stadium tonight.
It says that those coming to the concert from New York City may be able to use the Coach USA bus service, which it says will be “limited.” The venue also asks people who plan to arrive by car to please carpool and arrive early to help ease congestion.
Will Congress step in?
When it comes to transportation strikes, Congress does have the authority to act and compel workers to accept a deal and return to their jobs, notes CNN.
The last time Congress did this was in December 2022 when it voted to force workers from the country’s four major freight railroads to accept a deal.
However, CNN points out that Congress likely felt more compelled to step in at that time because the strike affected most of the country. The NJ Transit strike is a local affair, which means Congress may be more reluctant to interfere.
#transit #strike #update #how #longNJ Transit strike update: How long it could last, impact on Shakira concert, demands, and everything to know
Commuters in the New York City and New Jersey area are in for what is likely to be a weekend of increased congestion and more limited transit options after the engineers who run the New Jersey Transit rail system voted to go on strike.
That strike is now in effect and could continue throughout the weekend—and potentially even longer. Here’s what you need to know about the NJ Transit strike.
What’s happened?
On Thursday, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmenannounced that its members who run the trains in the New Jersey Transit Corporation, better known as NJ Transit, were officially on strike. The strike came after the BLET and NJ Transit failed to reach a deal on a new contract for the approximately 450 engineers and trainees who run the railway and are represented by the union.
The main issue centers around a disagreement on wage increases for the workers. News of the strike is no doubt a disappointment to the 100,000 NYC and NJ commuters who use the line daily, especially after both sides were reportedly “close” to a deal.
Talks between both sides went on for 15 hours on Thursday and ended shortly before 10 p.m., reports CNN. The strike then officially began at 12:01 a.m., today, Friday, May 16.
It is the first time union members working for New Jersey Transit have gone on strike in 42 years. The last time NJ Transit workers took to the picket lines was in 1983.
What do the striking rail workers want?
The BLET’s union members are striking because no acceptable deal was reached on wage increases for its members. In a notice announcing the strike, BLET says that its NJ Transit members have not received a raise for five years.
The union also notes that NJ Transit engineers “make at least less per hour” than the engineers for other passenger railroads that share the same train platforms as the ones used by NJ Transit.
“NJ Transit has a half-billion dollars for a swanky new headquarters and million for decorating the interior of that unnecessary building,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said in a prepared statement. “They gave away million in revenue during a fare holiday last year. They have money for penthouse views and pet projects, just not for their front-line workers. Enough is enough. We will stay out until our members receive the fair pay that they deserve.”
In addition to the strike now in effect, from 4 a.m. this morning BLET members began picketing at multiple locations, including NJ Transit’s Newark headquarters, New York’s Penn Station, and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal in Atlantic City.
The union says that “despite the transit agency having the funds for a raise,” NJ Transit managers walked out of talks before 10 p.m. on Thursday.
What does NJ Transit say?
NJ Transit, for its part, has posted a fact sheet about the strike, which lays out six claims and what the transit agency says are the “facts” about the claims.
NJ Transit says that it offered BLET members a “competitive wage and benefits package that all 14 other rail labor unions accepted in 2021.”
It also says that under its offer, NJ Transit locomotive engineers would have seen their average total earnings rise from per year now to as of July 1, 2027.
The transit agency says these wages are “competitive within the region” and higher than the wages Philadelphia’s SEPTA workers receive.
It concedes that the wages are lower than those received by MTAworkers in New York, but it adds, “It isn’t reasonable to live and work in New Jersey, but demand to be paid like you live and work in New York.”
How long could the strike last?
That is impossible to tell at this point.
In theory, NJ Transit and BLET could agree to return to the negotiating table at any time—although that’s unlikely to happen today. However, on Thursday, NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said that both sides are currently scheduled to start negotiating again on Sunday.
But just because negotiations are scheduled—or even begin—doesn’t mean the strike will be called off anytime soon. Indeed, if BLET would call off the strike, it may lessen the pressure on NJ Transit to meet their demands.
CNN notes that when Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authorityworkers went on strike in the 1980s, the strike lasted for 108 days. A strike of Metro-North workers lasted 42 days, and a strike of Long Island Railroad workers lasted 11 days.
What should I do if I plan to use NJ Transit today?
You should rethink your travel plans.
NJ Transit has posted a notice warning of the “complete suspension” of services on its rail lines. The agency says it “strongly encourages all those who can work from home to do so and limit traveling on the NJ TRANSIT system to essential purposes only.”
However, if you do need to commute, the agency says that it is “adding very limited capacity” to existing New York commuter routes on its bus services.
The agency also says that from May 19, its regional Park & Ride service “will operate on a first come, first served basis.”
Commuters who need to use NJ transit during the strike are strongely encouraged to check out the agency’s rail strike information page here.
What if I’m seeing the Shakira or Beyoncé concerts?
From this weekend, there are also two large music events planned in the area that NJ Transit normally serves. The first is the Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which begins at 7:30 p.m. tonight, May 16.
Then, Beyoncé is scheduled to perform at the same stadium for five nights between May 22 and May 29.
MetLife Stadium has posted some travel options for concertgoers who are seeing the Shakira show tonight. The stadium points out that there will be no NJ Transit bus or rail service to the stadium tonight.
It says that those coming to the concert from New York City may be able to use the Coach USA bus service, which it says will be “limited.” The venue also asks people who plan to arrive by car to please carpool and arrive early to help ease congestion.
Will Congress step in?
When it comes to transportation strikes, Congress does have the authority to act and compel workers to accept a deal and return to their jobs, notes CNN.
The last time Congress did this was in December 2022 when it voted to force workers from the country’s four major freight railroads to accept a deal.
However, CNN points out that Congress likely felt more compelled to step in at that time because the strike affected most of the country. The NJ Transit strike is a local affair, which means Congress may be more reluctant to interfere.
#transit #strike #update #how #long
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