NJ Transit, engineers reach tentative contract, avoid strike

NJ Transit employees reached a tentative contract agreement with officials to avoid a strike, according to a Monday statement.

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen General Chairman Thomas Haas issued a joint statement saying the agreement includes a “reasonable” wage bump for BLET workers. The agreement came just weeks before NJ Transit engineers were set to go on strike.

“We are pleased to announce a fair and fiscally responsible contract settlement that ensures value for our taxpayers and customers, and provides a reasonable wage increase for BLET members,” the statement read. “Apart from the contract settlement, we have resolved a long-standing grievance and settled another outstanding dispute between the parties in a manner that benefits both parties, paving the way for the introduction of new technology that enhances efficiencies at NJ TRANSIT and supports our workforce.”

The union had been without a contract since 2019. The workers said their salaries are among the lowest of any commuter engineer group in the country, according to NJ.com.

Former President Joe Biden created a pair of presidential boards to review the dispute to stave off a labor stoppage. 

“We believe this agreement not only reflects NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to fairness, efficiency, innovation, and long-term financial sustainability – but it ensures uninterrupted rail service for the 100,000 people who depend on it,” the statement read.

The union’s membership must vote to ratify the contract and the NJ Transit Board of Directors must approve the agreement, according to NorthJersey.com.

Senator Andy Kim celebrated the agreement in a statement Monday afternoon.

“New Jersey shouldn’t have to experience another summer full of transit breakdowns and delays; the agreement made today with NJ Transit and BLET members is a step in the right direction to make our transit system more efficient and reliable,” said Senator Andy Kim. “With higher wages guaranteed for those tasked with day-to-day operations and commitments to make desperately needed upgrades and repairs, I am encouraged to see both sides finding solutions and will continue to track progress as the year continues.”

This article was updated to include a statement from Kim.