New Jersey Transit train engineers have gone on strike, causing chaos for hundreds of thousands of commuters who now have to figure out how to get to work without the usual train service. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) union decided to strike after negotiations with NJ Transit officials fell through. The strike began at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, shutting down all New Jersey Transit commuter trains and the MTA Metro-North West of Hudson service.
Negotiations between the union and NJ Transit officials continued up until the last minute, with meetings taking place in Washington, D.C. and even an 11th-hour negotiation session to try to avoid the strike. However, no resolution was reached, leading to the current situation. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri are urging commuters to work from home if possible to ease the strain on transportation systems.
Despite efforts to reach a deal, both sides seem to be at a standstill. The union is pushing for higher wages, while NJ Transit is concerned about the costs involved. The average salary for engineer operators is a point of contention, with the union arguing for a significant increase from the current average of $135,000 annually. NJ Transit officials claim that accepting the union’s terms would cost taxpayers a substantial amount over the next five years.
The strike has already disrupted the lives of over 350,000 commuters, with limited bus services being provided as an alternative. However, the bus system is unable to accommodate all the affected rail customers, leading to massive congestion on roads and potential chaos in Manhattan. Experts warn that the strike could have far-reaching consequences, affecting vital transportation arteries in the region. Despite ongoing negotiations and contingency plans, the situation remains uncertain as commuters struggle to find alternative ways to get to their destinations.
