In a significant development for New Jersey’s transportation landscape, nearly 900,000 daily commuters face potential disruption as NJ Transit train engineers have voted to strike if an agreement is not reached by May 16, 2025. The railroad engineers, part of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Union, have expressed dissatisfaction over wage levels and have been working without a contract since 2020.

The Vote and Its Implications

In a recent ballot, approximately 90% of union members rejected a proposed wage agreement with NJ Transit. This overwhelming rejection underscores the engineers’ belief that their compensation does not reflect the cost of living and the demanding nature of their roles compared to similar positions in neighboring transit agencies.

Underlying Issues

According to the union, New Jersey Transit engineers rank among the lowest-paid in the nation despite operating in one of America’s busiest and most expensive regions. “Our number one issue is wages. New Jersey Transit engineers are among the lowest paid in the entire country,” said BLET Chairman Tim Haas. He further noted that many engineers are leaving NJ Transit for better-paying positions with agencies such as Metro-North, Long Island Railroad, Amtrak, and PATH.

Response from NJ Transit

NJ Transit has acknowledged the engineers’ concerns. The agency’s president expressed a commitment to ongoing negotiations, stating, “I believe a deal is still within reach, and I am committed to returning to the bargaining table immediately and meeting every day, for as long as it takes, to get it done.”

A Historical Context

This situation isn’t unprecedented for NJ Transit, which faced similar labor disputes in the past. A notable instance occurred in 2016 when last-minute negotiations averted a strike. The current climate brings renewed attention to the need for timely and fair labor agreements in public transport.

The Road Ahead

With the clock ticking, NJ Transit has a narrow window of 30 days to come to a new agreement with union representatives to prevent a strike. If no solution is reached, the work stoppage could commence as early as May 16, 2025, deeply affecting transportation for hundreds of thousands across the region.