NJ TRANSIT Workers May Strike If Agreement Isn't Reached
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A potential commuting nightmare looms for NJ TRANSIT riders, as industry workers set a date for a potential strike.
A NJ TRANSIT train strike could happen again on March 12 if an agreement isn't reached between NJ Transit and several unions, CBS2's Vanessa Murdock reported.
According to a union representative, NJ TRANSIT workers haven't had a contract in nearly five years. The workers are asking for a 2.6 percent average annual revenue increase, which is the same increases as those who work for the LIRR and the Metro-North, according to Presidential Emergency boards #248 and #249.
The emergency boards also made recommendations on health insurance contributions, conductor certification pay and 401K contributions for new hires.
The idea of a strike doesn't sit well with some NJ TRANSIT commuters.
Gina Dona said she frequently travels to New Brunswick and Freehold to help a sick family member.
"I come and go constantly on NJ TRANSIT -- that would be horrific," Dona said of the potential strike. "If I can't get out there to provide the support my family needs - that would be really devastating."
Catherina Dzata travels two hours to get from East Harlem to school in South Orange.
"I depend solely on the train to get to school," she said. "If there's a strike I think the bus is going to take me four hours."
NJ TRANSIT released this statement on Wednesday night:
"While a recent news report indicated that NJ TRANSIT rail unions may consider disruptive actions allowable under antiquated federal laws, we have no knowledge of union plans to interfere in the provision of service to our customers."
NJ TRANSIT also called today's negotiations "substantive."
The last time NJ TRANSIT workers went on strike was in 1983.