NJ Transit Engineers have approved a new seven-year labor agreement that officially ended their first strike in over four decades and restored key commuter service to New York City. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

New Jersey Transit rail operations shut down early Friday after locomotive engineers walked off the job, marking the first statewide transit strike in over four decades.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 16: A “Rail Service Suspended” message is displayed in the NJ Transit station at Penn Station on May 16, 2025 in New York, New York. Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen reported that 398 members voted for the deal, while 21 opposed it. The contract covers the years 2020 through 2027 and now awaits final board approval on Wednesday.

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Although the agency has not disclosed full details, the union stated that the agreement includes a significant wage increase and addresses several long-standing concerns among engineers.

The three-day strike began on May 16 and disrupted service for over 100,000 riders daily. NJ Transit Engineers walked off the job after rejecting a previous offer that failed to meet wage expectations.

Commuters were forced to find alternative transportation, including buses, ferries, taxis, and ride-shares. Routes to Newark Airport and across the Hudson into Manhattan were most severely impacted.

Union Pressure Brings Victory for NJ Transit Engineers

The union’s successful vote came just weeks after engineers overwhelmingly rejected a previous agreement. That rejection sent a clear message about dissatisfaction with pay and working conditions.

Negotiations then focused on structuring wage hikes that wouldn’t destabilize NJ Transit’s broader financial system. Union leaders emphasized fairness and long-term viability.

NJ Transit Engineers Resume Service Amid Recovery Efforts

With service restored, NJ Transit now faces the challenge of regaining rider trust. The agency described the agreement as a step toward labor stability and future reliability.

Both sides called the resolution a turning point. Engineers returned to work, and leadership praised the deal for balancing fiscal responsibility with worker demands.

Source: apnews.com

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