New Jersey Transit is facing a potential strike by its train engineers, which would be the first in over 40 years, as negotiations with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have stalled. The agency has advised commuters to prepare for possible disruptions by working from home, as its contingency plan involving buses can only accommodate 20% of the usual 70,000 daily train passengers. The impasse arose after the union rejected a proposed contract, demanding a 14% wage increase, which NJ Transit claims would significantly impact the budget and require fare hikes or service cuts. Union officials argue that their members are underpaid compared to counterparts in New York and have not received raises since 2019, despite working through the pandemic. The situation remains tense as negotiations continue, with the strike deadline looming on May 16, potentially leading to widespread commuter chaos.

New Jersey Transit is preparing for a potential rail strike, the first in over 40 years, as negotiations with the union representing train engineers have reached a deadlock. The strike would disrupt the daily commute of 70,000 New Jersey residents who travel to Manhattan.

In response to the impending strike, NJ Transit has developed a contingency plan to substitute buses for trains, although these can only accommodate 20% of the usual train passenger load, prompting a recommendation for commuters to work from home.

Negotiations between NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen broke down after the union rejected a contract offering a 12% wage increase over four years, demanding a 14% raise instead.

NJ Transit claims that meeting the union's demands would cost $1.363 billion over five years, necessitating service cuts, fare increases, or hikes in the Corporate Transit Fee. The union refutes these estimates, suggesting the cost would be significantly lower.

Union members feel underpaid compared to peers at other commuter railroads and have not received raises since 2019, despite enduring high inflation and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The engineers' union is the only one among NJ Transit's 15 unions that has not accepted the proposed contract terms, which included annual raises and other benefits.

The deadline for averting the strike is May 16, and with strained negotiations ongoing, NJ Transit has warned of potential commuter chaos if a resolution is not reached.