NJ Transit Rail Service Halted as Engineers Begin Strike Over Pay Dispute

NJ Transit Rail Strike Begins

• 🚆 NJ Transit rail service has come to a complete halt after train engineers began a strike just after midnight.
• commuters this morning are forced to find alternate transportation as tens of thousands are impacted.

Sticking Point: Engineer Pay

• 💰 The primary issue is engineer pay, with the union demanding an increase from $113,000 to $170,000.
• 📊 NJ Transit states the current average salary for engineers is $135,000.

Negotiation Status

• 🚫 No new negotiations are currently scheduled, though the National Mediation Board has asked both sides to meet on Sunday.
• 🗣️ Both the transit agency and the union are engaged in finger-pointing, each claiming to wait for the other to initiate further talks.

Union and Management Statements

• 🤝 The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen expressed readiness to talk anytime, stating their members prefer to be at work.
• 😠 The governor criticized the union's decision to strike, calling it a "mess of their own making" and a "slap in the face" to commuters.
• 🗣️ NJ Transit President Chris Galori stated talks ended cordially and he has not left the negotiating table.

Impact on Commuters

• 🚌 Available bus services can only accommodate a fraction of the usual 100,000 rail riders.
• 🌧️ The strike continues amid rain at NJ Transit Headquarters, with engineers picketing outside.