New Jersey transit strike: Commuter chaos as engineers demand raises
The New Jersey Transit engineers' strike has disrupted transportation between New Jersey and New York, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. The workers are demanding raises, as the last salary increase they received was five years ago.
What do you need to know?
- Engineers' strike: The strike began on Friday, marking the first such action by New Jersey Transit workers in over forty years. The main issue is the lack of a new collective bargaining agreement.
- Salaries: The BLET union highlights that engineers have not received a raise in five years. They currently earn an average of $113,000 per year, although authorities claim the figure is $135,000.
- Transportation disruptions: The strike affects about 350,000 passengers daily, compelling many to seek alternative ways of commuting.
What are the main reasons for the strike?
The strike, which began on Friday, is the first for New Jersey Transit workers in over forty years. It erupted following failed negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The BLET union, representing approximately 450 engineers, stresses that their demands concerning salaries have not been addressed.
Mark Wallace, the national president of the union, expressed that they felt forced to go on strike due to New Jersey Transit pulling out of the talks. He added that it’s now up to the agency to respond.
What are the consequences of the strike for passengers?
The strike has caused massive transportation disruptions, forcing many travelers to work remotely or to use alternative means of transportation, such as buses, cars, taxis, or ferries.
New Jersey Transit serves about 350,000 passengers daily, including tens of thousands commuting to New York. To mitigate the strike's impact, New Jersey Transit has hired private buses, which can only transport about 20% of the regular rail passengers.
What are the positions of the parties in the conflict?
The BLET union is demanding raises that have not been adjusted in five years. Engineers earn an average of $113,000 per year, although New Jersey Transit authorities maintain that the average salary is $135,000.
The engineers are calling for a salary increase to $172,000 per year. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri has stated that accommodating the engineers' demands could create a financial "death spiral" for the company, potentially leading to its closure within a few years.
What are the prospects for resolving the conflict?
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has emphasized the need to reach a "final agreement that is fair to the workers and affordable for travelers and taxpayers alike."
The strike has also led to the cancellation of trains and buses serving MetLife Stadium during Shakira's concerts.
