New Jersey Transit engineers may go on strike

Roughly 500 New Jersey Transit locomotive engineers are voting this month to determine whether they will go on strike to protest not getting any raises since October 2019.

“The absence of a pay raise during a period of high inflation has persisted for four years, which is too long.  Our members cannot continue working for subpar wages.  They have had enough,” said  Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National President Eddie Hall.  “The employer’s delay tactics and priorities are causing some of NJT’s engineers to think about leaving.  Many options are available because of the shortage of engineers across the country.”

A strike could become a factor in the upcoming November midterm legislative elections, although it’s unlikely.  New Jersey Transit has a federal court order that enjoins the union from violating the status quo.

New Jersey Transit and BLET remain in mediation with the National Mediation Board.  In the event that they are released from mediation, the federal Railway Labor Act requires a 30-day cooling-off period from the date of the release.  Two 120-day Presidential Emergency Boards can be taken to avert a strike, which could mean a 270-day delay before the strike could begin.

The union says New Jersey Transit has insisted that engineers follow “pattern bargaining” with other employees but maintains that New Jersey has the lowest-paid commute rail engineers in the country.

James Brown, the BLET NJT general chairman, criticized the agency’s decision to spend $440 million for new office space while pushing back raises.

“Millions for penthouse views, but not a dime for train crews, said Brown.  “This is no way to run a railroad.”

Hall predicted that 100% of returned ballots will support a strike before the August 31 deadline.

“I want to stress that BLET shall comply with the rules of the Railway Labor Act,” he said.  “However, once released by the National Mediation Board, we will be ready to act. What we really want is a fair contract for engineers and to ensure uninterrupted train services for passengers.”

During Gov. Chris Christie’s administration, the union said that an engineer shortage caused New Jersey Transit to cancel trains increasingly.