Today, New Jersey transit engineers went on a historic strike, affecting more than 350,000 commuters.
The workers, members of BLET, who have been without a union contract since 2019, are demanding pay raises that would allow them to live in the areas they serve.
In March, their union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), reached a tentative agreement with NJ Transit. However, the union's rank-and-file voted down the deal by an 87% margin.
The workers then authorized a strike, with 99% voting in favor of the strike. Union leaders say that they attempted to avoid the strike, but saw no other choice with NJ Transit leaders digging in their heels.
“We went in fully expecting to reach a deal,” BLET New Jersey Transit union leader Tom Haas said in a press conference. “Unfortunately, New Jersey Transit was not willing to bridge that gap. This is not something we undertake lightly. We understand the impact a strike will have.”
Despite pressure from angry commuters, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says he fully backs the strike.
“The workers and families who rely on our transit system every single day are the backbone of our entire economy, and any possibility of abandoning these workers and families, our neighbors indeed, at the last minute would be completely unacceptable and unjustifiable,” Murphy said in a statement.
The union says it is prepared to stay on strike for as long as it takes.
"We will stay out until our members receive the fair pay that they deserve," said BLET National President Mark Wallace in a statement.
