An NJ Transit strike that could have left tri-state area commuters in disarray has been avoided, the railroad announced Monday.
After more than five years of negotiations with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the deal was announced just 12 days before the potential start of a strike.
“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 two sides said in a joint statement.
The rank-and-file members of the BLET will still need to vote to approve the agreement. That vote is scheduled for next month.
The union’s contract expired back on Dec. 31, 2019, but federal laws governing railroad workplace disputes meant lengthy negotiations. BLET members voted to strike in August 2023 but were required to wait for several processes to play out. The strike was scheduled to finally begin at 12:01 a.m. on March 22.
Details of the new agreement were not immediately clear. On the biggest issue, the sides said BLET workers would receive a “reasonable wage increase.”
The deal came two months after a new NJ Transit leader, Kris Kolluri, took over the railway. Former NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett resigned on Jan. 15.
“Having the new NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri at the bargaining table brought a new perspective to the issues that were in dispute,” BLET National Vice President James P. Louis said. “With his assistance, we were able to reach a tentative agreement worthy for the membership to vote on.”
NJ Transit runs more than 900,000 bus and train trips every week and is considered the nation’s third-largest commuter rail network.