NJ TRANSIT Commuters Concerned As Potential Strike Looms
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Commuters are becoming concerned about a potential NJ TRANSIT strike as a deadline to get a contract done is 11 days away.
CBS2's Jessica Schneider reports the workers' union says the two sides are as far apart as they've ever been.
NJ TRANSIT officials aren't giving many details, but told CBS2 that they are developing plans to accommodate customers. However, many of those customers just bought monthly passes for March and say that answer isn't good enough.
"It wouldn't be a good thing at all, a lot of people ride these trains," Dan Martin, who takes the train several times a week into the city, told CBS2. "Of course, what's the contingency? If they do walk off the job, how are they going to keep all these people moving to and from work?"
NJ TRANSIT said in a statement that they will help customers who have already purchased tickets and passes.
"In the event the unions call a strike, we will have a plan in place to accommodate customers who have purchased tickets and passes," Nancy Snyder, NJ TRANSIT spokesperson, told CBS2 in a statement. "Customers should purchase their tickets and passes as they normally would purchase them."
Commuters feel that they are taking a chance without knowing the details of any contingency plan. They are worried they will be out of money if they purchase a monthly pass.
NJ TRANSIT will only say that monthly pass holders will be made whole. Gov. Christie refused to answer any questions about a potential strike during a news conference Monday, but said during his radio call-in show "Ask The Governor" that it's up to the union and NJ TRANSIT to work it out.
"My job at this point is to let my negotiators negotiate. Let them work and try to work the problems out," Christie said.
Christie did spend Tuesday campaigning for Donald Trump in Ohio.
"It really shows to the people of New Jersey that he doesn't care about their daily plight. He has more concerns about his political fortunes in the future," Democratic Assemblyman John Wisniewski, and Transportation chairman, told CBS2.
The sticking points in the contract negotiations right now are the length of the deal, worker contributions to health care, and wages as the union is seeking an increase of 2.4 percent a year in the six-and-a-half year contract.
"When you don't know whether you're going to have a way to get to work, it is a concern, a big concern," Mary Ann Romano of Saddle Brook told CBS2.
The last NJ TRANSIT strike was in 1983.
The unions have authorized a walkout just after midnight on March 13 if there is no contract deal. Both sides are meeting with the National Mediation Board on Friday in Washington, D.C.