NJ Transit Rail Strike: A Review of Recent Worker Action
In May 2025, New Jersey experienced its first rail strike in 42 years, as locomotive engineers for NJ Transit walked off the job, bringing train service to a grinding halt. The four-day strike, which began on Friday, May 16th, and concluded on Sunday, May 18th, caused widespread disruption for hundreds of thousands of daily commuters and highlighted a long-standing dispute over wages and working conditions.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), representing approximately 460 NJ Transit engineers, initiated the strike after negotiations with the agency reached an impasse. The core of the dispute revolved around compensation, with the union demanding pay increases commensurate with those of engineers at other major commuter railroads, such as the Long Island Rail Road. The BLET argued that NJ Transit engineers were the lowest paid in the nation for a major commuter railroad, despite the high cost of living in the New York City-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area. They also pointed out that their members had not received a raise in five years.
NJ Transit, on the other hand, contended that the union's requested raises were fiscally unsustainable and would necessitate significant fare increases for riders. Despite both sides acknowledging that they were "95% of the way" to a deal in the days leading up to the strike, the final details remained elusive, leading to the walkout.
NJ Transit implemented a contingency plan, advising travelers to expect longer travel times and crowded conditions on buses and light rail. They also strongly urged commuters to work from home if possible, to allow essential employees to utilize the limited available public transportation.
The strike officially ended on Sunday, May 18th, when a tentative agreement was reached between the BLET and NJ Transit managers. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the deal, emphasizing its fairness and fiscal responsibility. While the specific terms of the agreement were not immediately disclosed to the public, the union stated that it included an hourly pay boost beyond their previous proposal and addressed ways to improve engineer retention and recruitment without requiring a fare increase.
Despite the agreement, rail service did not immediately resume on Monday, May 19th. NJ Transit required approximately 24 hours to preposition equipment and conduct crucial safety checks on hundreds of trains and miles of rail lines that had been out of use. Full rail service was restored on Tuesday, May 20th.
The May 2025 NJ Transit rail strike served as a powerful reminder of the vital role public transportation plays in the lives of millions and the complex negotiations involved in maintaining essential services. The resolution, achieved through direct negotiation without congressional intervention, highlighted the importance of allowing the collective bargaining process to work.
