NJ Transit strike looms as engineer's union demands pay increase

Just when you thought the transit issues were behind us comes the possibility of a NJ Transit strike as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union is demanding a pay increase. 

What we know:

The BLET union is demanding a 14% pay increase, citing pay disparities with other transit systems like the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North.

NJ Transit, led by its new head Kris Kolluri, has countered with a 4% offer, deemed reasonable by a presidential emergency board.

What they're saying:

"All we want as engineers is equal pay for equal work," said Tom Haas, General Chairman for the BLET union. "Even with a 14% increase, we don't completely close the gap with every other railroad."

"Just to give you a perspective, 14 out of the 15 unions have already agreed to a 3% increase. We have now gone to a 4%, which the Presidential Emergency Board has said is reasonable," said Kolluri.

Related

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President Joe Biden has signed an executive order delaying a strike by NJ Transit's locomotive engineers and trainmen that could have crippled the daily commute.

For his part, Kolluri says that he is committed to working out a deal. 

"I'm new to this job, but I'm willing to meet Thomas Haas, the head of the union, any time, any day, 24 hours a day, until we get to a negotiation that is fair for both parties."

The backstory:

The news comes just a few weeks after congestion pricing, Port Authority and Turnpike toll hikes went into effect, and a few months after NJ Transit raised rates by 15%.

The fare hike increased the price of both train and bus tickets for NJ Transit, with the agency citing the need to close a budget gap to avoid reducing services. 

Meanwhile, last year there were multiple delays and disruptions to service on NJ Transit that left commuters infuriated. 

Both sides have until March 20 to hammer out a deal.

The Source: This report was written using sources and information collected by FOX 5 NY. 

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