#BREAKING: All New Jersey Transit rail service suspended until further notice due to engineer strike pic.twitter.com/tAsE0QEbxQ
— upuknews (@upuknews1) May 16, 2025
New Jersey commuters woke up to chaos as all rail service on New Jersey Transit came to a sudden halt. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen walked off the job at midnight, shutting down the state’s entire commuter rail network.
The strike follows months of failed negotiations over wages. Engineers have gone without a raise for five years, earning significantly less than their counterparts at other passenger rail services. Union leaders argue that NJ Transit has the funds to meet their demands but refuses to allocate them fairly.
Governor Phil Murphy has urged both sides to return to the bargaining table, warning that the strike will disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents. NJ Transit estimates that more than 350,000 daily riders will be affected, with limited contingency plans in place.
The agency has scrambled to provide alternative transportation, adding capacity to commuter bus routes and contracting private carriers for emergency service. Officials are encouraging those who can work from home to do so, as travel options remain scarce.
Union representatives claim NJ Transit has prioritized expensive projects over fair wages. They point to the agency’s new $500 million headquarters in Newark as proof that funds exist but are being mismanaged. Engineers argue that their work is critical to public safety and should be compensated accordingly.
Negotiations are set to resume on Sunday, but there is no guarantee of a quick resolution. Until then, New Jersey’s rail system remains frozen, leaving commuters searching for alternatives.
Sources:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/16/nj-transit-strike-2025-engineers/83666379007/
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562025/approved/20250515c.shtml