New Jersey transit strike halts commute for 350,000 daily passengers
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 pay raises, having last received an increase five years ago.
What do you need to know?
- Engineers' strike: It began on Friday and is the first strike by New Jersey Transit workers in over forty years. The dispute arises from the failure to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement.
- Salaries: The BLET union stresses that the engineers have not received a raise in five years. They currently earn an average of £91,000 per year, while authorities claim it is £109,000.
- Transportation disruptions: The strike affected about 350,000 passengers daily, forcing many to seek alternative means of transportation.
What are the main reasons for the strike?
The strike began on Friday and marks the first in over forty years for New Jersey Transit workers. It erupted after unsuccessful negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. The BLET union, representing about 450 engineers, underscores that their demands regarding salaries remain unmet.
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 caused significant disruptions in transportation, forcing many travellers to work remotely or use alternative means of transport, such as buses, cars, taxis, or ferries.
New Jersey Transit caters to about 350,000 passengers daily, including tens of thousands of people commuting to New York. To mitigate the impact of the protest, New Jersey Transit hired private buses, capable of transporting only about 20% of the regular rail passengers.
What are the positions of the parties in the conflict?
The BLET union demands pay increases that have not been adjusted for five years. Engineers earn an average of £91,000 per year, while New Jersey Transit authorities state that the average salary is £109,000.
The engineers' demands include an increase in salary to £139,000 per year. NJ Transit CEO, Kris Kolluri, stated that meeting the engineers' demands could push the company into a financial "death spiral" and potentially lead to its closure within a few years.
What are the prospects for resolving the conflict?
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy emphasised the necessity of reaching a "final agreement that is fair to the workers and affordable for travellers and taxpayers alike."
The strike also led to the cancellation of trains and buses serving MetLife Stadium during Shakira's concerts.
