NJ Transit has failed to reach a contract agreement with a locomotive engineer union, marking the first major transit strike in New Jersey since 1983.
The rail system had been warning commuters for several days about potential disruptions to essential services. A strike could impact around 800,000 daily riders.
The Brotherhood Union of Locomotive Engineers has been seeking a pay increase for about 450 engineers since 2019. According to a source familiar with the situation, NJ Transit could easily cover the salary increase necessary for the seven-and-a-half-year contract, potentially costing under $30 million.
During a late-night press conference on Thursday, Governor Phil Murphy was informed by a reporter that the union intended to start the strike early on Friday.
“That’s the union’s decision, and I guess they’ve made that choice,” some Democrats commented when asked about the walk-off.
The proposed operating budget for Railway Services for FY 2026 is set at $3.2 billion.
Negotiations with Newark mediators were ongoing until the May 15 deadline, but a resolution couldn’t be reached in time to prevent the work stoppage.
On Thursday, the union stated that engineers are currently “the lowest-paid locomotive engineers on domestic commuter railroads.”
As the strike commences, union members will initiate a picket line throughout the system starting at 4 AM on Friday. This includes major locations like New Jersey headquarters in New York (2 Gateway Center), Penn Station in Manhattan (at the entrances on 8th and 33rd Avenues), and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal.
New Jersey Transit is alerting passengers and displaying messages at transport hubs like Manhattan’s Port Authority bus terminal, advising customers that they should “complete their trip and arrive at their final destination by 11 PM on Thursday, May 15.”
The national railway system is urging riders to work from home if possible during the strike, limiting travel to “only essential purposes.”
NJ Transit plans to direct its resources to “the largest segment of the railroad customer base, more than 70,000 New York-bound customers,” starting Friday on its website, focusing on those traveling from Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station to Path Trains.
Travelers can find more information and updates at njtransit.com/railstoppage.
Mayor Eric Adams stated that staff are available to help monitor the situation for any impacts on commuters and to reduce crowds. He urged riders to “plan ahead.”
He mentioned that NYC emergency management is “coordinating closely” with NJ Transit to manage the disruption and shares the agency’s statements.
“We are preparing general alerts and citywide coordination efforts to minimize delays and keep New York moving,” NYC emergency management reaffirmed. They will support real-time monitoring and response regarding the effects on commuters and traffic conditions.
“If there’s a railroad strike, expect crowds, delays, and limited capacity in other transport options. Plan your trip ahead of time, allow for extra time, and consider working from home if you can,” he advised.
