NJ Transit is getting back on track.
On Sunday, May 18th, news broke that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen reached a deal, ending the state’s first rail strike in over 40 years in just three days.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy addressed the news on Sunday night, though he did not expand on financial specifics. According to The New York Times, the engineers still must ratify the terms of the new contract.
NJ Transit strike deal — what commuters need to know
According to the NJ Transit website, both parties reached a deal, but commuters should most likely find alternate routes to work on Monday, May 19th.
A statement read, “NJ TRANSIT train service will resume on Tuesday, May 20, as it takes approximately 24 hours to inspect and prepare tracks, rail cars and other infrastructure before returning to full scheduled service.”
Additionally, the system asked that those who are able to work remotely to do so as things get on track ahead of Tuesday: “NJ TRANSIT strongly encourages all those who can work from home on Monday, May 19th to do so and limit traveling on the NJ TRANSIT system to essential purposes only.”
Though it might feel frustrating at the start of the work week, the Governor assured the state that this result was what all parties had hoped for.
“To offer the understatement of the year: this is a very good outcome,” Governor Murphy said, noting that “New Jersey is the quintessential organized labor state.”
Without going into specifics, he also added, “Kris [Kolluri, NJT CEO] never gave up on providing our locomotive engineers the raises they have earned while also ensuring that our public transit system remains accessible and affordable.”
“The deal, as the Governor correctly said, is fair and fiscally responsible,” NJ Transit President & CEO Kris Kolluri said. “I think we are particularly gratified that we were able to find a solution that meets the needs of the customers, and our employees, and more importantly than all of those, the taxpayers of New Jersey.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.