With 16 days to go before a possible strike, NJ Transit and the union that represents the agency's locomotive engineers came to a tentative agreement to settle a years-old contract dispute.
The deal, reached March 6, was announced by the agency Monday morning, though officials did not detail how they settled the matter except to say NJ Transit agreed to "a reasonable wage increase" with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen bargaining unit.
"We believe this agreement not only reflects NJ Transit’s commitment to fairness, efficiency, innovation, and long-term financial sustainability — but it ensures uninterrupted rail service for the 100,000 people who depend on it,” said a joint statement from NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri and union General Chairman Thomas Haas.
"Apart from the contract settlement, we have resolved a long-standing grievance and settled another outstanding dispute between the parties in a manner that benefits both parties, paving the way for the introduction of new technology that enhances efficiencies at NJ Transit and supports our workforce," said the joint statement.
The locomotive engineers' contract expired Dec. 31, 2019, and the two sides have been at the negotiating table ever since. The labor dispute went to Washington for mediation, two presidential emergency boards were appointed, and the potential for a strike that would have disrupted the daily commute for NJ Transit riders was imminent.
Among the sticking points was how large a pay increase the locomotive engineers should get. NJ Transit sought to increase wages by the same percentage rate as its 14 other rail unions, which have all settled contracts. The engineers' union sought wage increases closer to other commuter railroads.
After months of little movement at the bargaining table, the two sides began meeting almost every day shortly after Kolluri took over the agency in January and with just weeks to go before NJ Transit rail customers were going to be forced to find alternative means to commute.
In the last few weeks, one of the remaining issues that had to be resolved involved wage increases in the final year of the contract. NJ Transit sought a 4% increase, while the union was pushing for 14%.
Several key things still have to take place.
The union's membership will vote on ratifying the contract, NJ Transit's board of directors must vote on the agreement, and then the governor has 10 days to veto it.
If any of these groups vote against the agreement, the union can strike after 30 days from that decision.
Source: northjersey.com
