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Move prevents strike for another 120 days

Dispute between NJ Transit and engineers goes to second Presidential Emergency Board
An NJ Transit express train speeds through Ridgewood, New Jersey in August 2019. The dispute between NJ Transit and its engineers will be heard by a second Presidential Emergency Board. David Lassen

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has formed a second Presidential Emergency Board to address the dispute between NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

The three board members were announced by the White House on November 21st. The Board now has 60 days to prepare a report selecting the offer it considers to be the most appropriate; His selection prevents work interruption for 120 days.

The first board was named in July (see “Presidential Emergency Board named…”), Trains News Wire, July 25, 2024). It agreed with NJ Transit’s argument that BLET should receive the same raises accepted by the transit agency’s other 14 railroad unions, 12% without compound interest, over 4½ years, and recommended three years of additional increases Increases of 3% and two lump sum payments of $1,500 each. That would represent an increase of 21% over 7½ years. The union, which says it is the lowest-paid commuter rail engineer in the country, called for a “pay equity adjustment” of 15.36% on top of NJ Transit’s offer, as well as three years of 3% wage increases, a total increase of 36.36% over 7½ years (see “Presidential Emergency Board recommends…” News Wire, September 5, 2024).

NJ Transit engineers have been working without a contract since 2019 and have authorized a strike in 2023 (see “NJ Transit engineers vote to strike,” News Wire, September 1, 2023). However, both sides must complete the lengthy process of the Railway Labor Act before a work stoppage is possible.

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