New Jersey Transit Engineers Go on Strike, Affecting 350,000 Commuters

Strategic Insights -

In a bid to boost their wages, locomotive engineers at New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) went on strike on Friday, stranding an estimated 350,000 commuters in New Jersey and New York City. The strike is the first transit strike in over 40 years, and it comes after union members overwhelmingly rejected a labor agreement with management. The engineers, who earn an average salary of $113,000 a year, are seeking wages comparable to other passenger railroads in the area.

Key Takeaways:

  • The strike affects 350,000 commuters in New Jersey and New York City, with the majority relying on NJ Transit for their daily commutes.
  • The engineers are seeking wages comparable to other passenger railroads in the area, with a proposed average yearly salary of $170,000.
  • NJ Transit leadership disputes the union's data, citing average total earnings of $135,000 annually, with the highest earners exceeding $200,000.
  • The strike halts all NJ Transit commuter trains, including routes between New York City's Penn Station and northern New Jersey communities.
  • The transit agency has contingency plans in place, including increased bus service and private carrier contracts, but emphasized that the buses will only add "very limited" capacity to existing routes.
  • NJ Transit has urged commuters to work from home, if possible, during the strike, citing the buses' inability to handle close to the same number of passengers as the rail service.

Statistics:

  • 350,000: The estimated number of commuters affected by the strike.
  • 113,000: The average salary of NJ Transit engineers, according to the union.
  • 170,000: The proposed average yearly salary of NJ Transit engineers, as requested by the union.
  • 135,000: The average total earnings of NJ Transit engineers, according to NJ Transit leadership.
  • 450: The current number of NJ Transit engineers, down from 500 several months ago due to steady attrition.
  • 1 million: The number of weekday trips provided by NJ Transit.
  • 20%: The capacity of NJ Transit's buses compared to the current rail service.

Sources:

  • Associated Press: "New Jersey Transit engineers go on strike, stranding commuters".
  • NJ Transit: "NJ Transit Announces Contingency Plans in Advance of Locomotive Engineers Union Walkout".
  • NJ Transit: "Annual Report 2022".
  • NJ Governor's Office: "Statement on the NJ Transit Strike".