(NEWARK, NEW JERSEY) - After 15 hours of non-stop contract talks, no agreement on a wage increase was reached between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and New Jersey Transit Managers, who walked out of the talks.

Their actions forced the BLET to initiate a Strike action despite the Transit Agency having the funds for a raise, Union Officials said.

Trains that usually run 365 days a year will now come to a stop.

In accordance with the terms of the Railway Labor Act and the previously announced Strike deadline, New Jersey Transit’s 450 Unionized Engineers and trainees will be on Strike starting today (Friday, May 16th).

BLET Members at NJ Transit have been seeking a new agreement since 2019 and have gone without a raise for five long years.

NJT’s Engineers make at least $10 less per hour than Engineers who work for passenger railroads that share the same train platforms as NJ Transit.

In August 2023, Members of the local Union voted unanimously to grant the BLET National President the authority to call a Strike when it became lawful to do so and if a deal had not been reached.

BLET National President Mark Wallace said: “Our Members at NJ Transit had the full support of our National Union, as well as the Teamsters. NJ Transit has a half-billion dollars for a swanky new headquarters and ($53 million) for decorating the interior of that unnecessary building. They gave away ($20 million) in revenue during a fare holiday last year. They have money for penthouse views and pet projects, just not for their Front Line Workers. Enough is enough. We will stay out until our Members receive the fair pay that they deserve.”

BLET represents 51,000 Locomotive Engineers and other Train Service Workers at freight and passenger railroads across the United States.

The Union is a division of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: NJT LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS ON STRIKE - Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

And For More, Go To: Historic NJ Transit strike begins, halting all trains across N.J. - nj.com