Fri May 16 17:51:32 UTC 2025: **NJ Transit Rail Strike Strands Hundreds of Thousands in New Jersey and New York**
**Newark, NJ** – Hundreds of thousands of commuters in New Jersey and New York are facing travel chaos as a strike by New Jersey Transit rail engineers shut down the state’s rail system early Friday morning. The work stoppage, the first major transit strike in New Jersey since 1983, leaves commuters scrambling for alternative transportation options.
The strike began after negotiations between NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), representing approximately 450 engineers, broke down late Thursday night. The core issue is wages, with the union seeking pay parity with engineers at other regional commuter railroads.
“They have gone without a raise for six years and have been seeking a new contract since October 2019,” the union said in a statement. The union claims NJ Transit engineers’ current average salary is $113,000, while NJ Transit states that its engineers’ average $135,000 and have offered a deal that would yield an average salary of $172,000.
NJ Transit contends it cannot afford the union’s demands without triggering similar demands from its other 14 labor unions. The union countered, accusing the agency of prioritizing a new headquarters building over fair wages.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri held a press conference Friday morning, expressing willingness to resume negotiations and urging the union to return to the table. “We must reach a final deal that is both fair to employees and affordable,” Murphy stated. They announced that the US National Mediation Board had reached out to both sides to propose reopening talks on Sunday morning.
In anticipation of the strike, NJ Transit has increased bus service and chartered private buses, but warned that buses would only be able to handle about 20 percent of rail customers. The agency is encouraging commuters to work from home if possible. The strike has already impacted events, with NJ Transit cancelling trains and buses to MetLife Stadium for concerts.
Protests have sprung up at various locations, including NJ Transit headquarters in Newark and Penn Station in New York City. The standoff shows no signs of immediate resolution, leaving the region’s commuters facing significant disruptions.
First Piper 