Speaking at Newark Broad Street Station, NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri emphasized his commitment to continuing the negotiations and expressed optimism that a timely resolution could be reached with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).
No major issues were reported on the first day of the strike, as hundreds of thousands of customers sought alternate modes of travel after the transit agency stranded.
“While it is unfortunate the ongoing locomotive engineers’ strike has disrupted the commutes for more than 350,000 customers who use NJ TRANSIT every day, I remain committed to reaching an agreement that is fair for our engineers and affordable for the riders and taxpayers of New Jersey,” NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kouri said in a release. “I am pleased the union reached out yesterday asking to meet later today, ahead of our scheduled meeting with the National Mediation Board on Sunday. I am hopeful that the meetings this weekend will continue to be productive and result in an agreement that meets with everyone’s satisfaction.”
The strike comes after a tentative agreement was reached on March 10 that BLET leadership previously called “fair and fiscally responsible,” but was voted down by its members last month. The BLET is the only NJ Transit’s 15 rail unions union that has not signed the initial pattern bargaining agreement.
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