2-minute read
NJ Transit price hike: What to know about rates going up on July 1
NJ Transit’s board unanimously approved a fare increase of 15% on July 1 and 3% every year after that.
NJ Transit engineers could go on strike in the future after a federal board ended mediation between the public transit agency and the union representing its engineers and trainmen.
The National Mediation Board announced on Tuesday that it granted release to contract discussions between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and NJ Transit. The move kicks off a 30-day “cooling-off” period, which could then allow the union to strike if the two sides remain at an impasse.
However, NJ Transit said in a statement Tuesday evening: “While we are currently in the 30-day ‘cooling off’ period, in light of the BLET’s response to the National Mediation Board (NMB) rejecting binding arbitration to settle this matter, NJ TRANSIT fully intends, to make a formal request for a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB).”
The establishment of a PEB by President Joe Biden prevents the union from going on strike or being locked out while the board collects data and prepares a report.
Story continues below photo gallery
The union has been seeking a new engineers’ contract since October of 2019. Eddie Hall, the union’s national president, called for a resolution following Tuesday’s announcement, alleging NJ Transit’s unwillingness to offer competitive wages despite spending on “lavish new office space” and its plans to raise fares by 15% effective July 1.
“This labor dispute has dragged on for far too long,” Hall said. “It’s time for NJ Transit to make a fair offer and settle this dispute voluntarily, otherwise our members will be walking picket lines rather than operating trains.”
Jim Smith, chief communications officer for NJ Transit, said the agency was “extremely disappointed” in the mediation board’s decision but assured customers that it will not disrupt service.
More: NJ Transit train engineers authorize strike in nearly unanimous vote
“This is an unprecedented action that overturns nearly 100 years of rail labor relations past practice as it relates to pattern bargaining,” Smith said. “NJ Transit has made a fair and pattern-based contract offer that has been accepted and ratified by 14 of our 15 rail unions covering 91% of our rail union employees.”
The engineers’ union declined a proffer of arbitration last week, setting the stage for a potential strike.
“Our members are angry and feel betrayed,” Hall said. “Locomotive engineers kept the trains running during the pandemic. They have gone five years without a pay raise during a period of high inflation. These men and women want to serve the public with uninterrupted service, but they cannot continue working for subpar wages. They have had enough.”
Smith said NJ Transit “has and will continue to engage in” negotiations that represent all of the agency’s customers.
“We remain fully committed to an amicable resolution to these contract talks,” he said.