Press Releases
Rail Teamsters at NJ Transit Hold Strike Authorization Vote
Hundreds of Locomotive Engineers Demand Fair Pay, Just Contract
(NEWARK, N.J.) — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) of the Teamsters Rail Conference has begun mailing out strike authorization ballots to 500 locomotive engineers employed by NJ Transit, which operates the nation’s third-largest commuter railroad.
BLET NJ Transit locomotive engineers have been fighting for a new contract since 2019. The contract dispute between the BLET and NJ Transit has been in mediation for nearly three years.
The BLET wants a contract that gives its members wages more in line with what engineers at other commuter railroads make. Except for one other transit agency, NJ Transit’s engineers are the lowest paid engineers working in commuter service in the nation.
“I am confident that 100 percent of the ballots returned will be in favor of striking New Jersey Transit,” said BLET National President Eddie Hall. “We will be one step closer to ‘self-help’ once the ballots are counted later this month and just prior to the Labor Day weekend. I want to stress that BLET shall comply with the rules of the Railway Labor Act. However, once released by the National Mediation Board, we will be ready to act. What we really want is a fair contract for engineers and to ensure uninterrupted train services for passengers.”
BLET members working for NJ Transit will receive a mailing from the BLET National Division over the next few days with voting instructions. The deadline for receipt of the ballots is at 12:00 Noon EDT on Thursday, August 31.
Members who are eligible and have not received a strike authorization packet by Monday, August 21, should call the BLET’s National Division at (216) 241-2630, extension 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
• Your name, address, and phone number;
• The Division to which you belong;
• The railroad you work for;
• The date you were promoted to locomotive engineer;
• Your date of birth; and
• The last four digits of your Social Security number.
The above information is needed to verify membership and eligibility to receive a ratification packet. Email requests for ballots will not be accepted because personal data is required to verify eligibility before a ballot can be issued.