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. 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 (BLET) initiated the strike just after midnight. Around 450 engineers ceased work following unsuccessful wage negotiations with New Jersey Transit management.

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BLET stated that NJ Transit has not offered raises since 2019, leaving engineers without salary adjustments for five years. Despite 15 hours of talks, the agency’s negotiators left the table Thursday night without a deal.

Union leaders blamed NJ Transit for walking away from the talks shortly before 10 p.m., saying the agency had the financial resources to meet their demands. The union warned that trains operating 365 days annually would now stop entirely.

New Jersey Transit Confirms Full Rail Suspension

New Jersey Transit confirmed the complete suspension of all rail services across the state. Officials urged commuters to avoid travel unless necessary and encouraged remote work whenever possible.

To ease the impact, NJ Transit activated a contingency plan. The agency added limited bus service near affected rail stations and contracted private carriers for weekday peak hours.

These buses serve only a fraction of normal capacity. The agency admitted that alternative transit options remain extremely limited, especially for long-distance commuters.

New Jersey Transit Engineers Demand Fair Compensation

Union representatives emphasized that their members deserve a fair contract. They insist that NJ Transit must address long-standing wage freezes and provide equitable compensation going forward.

Commuters face major disruptions with no set timeline for resuming train operations. The standoff has left thousands stranded, increasing pressure on both sides to reach a resolution soon.

Source: www.usatoday.com

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