NJ Transit update (Friday, March 11) -- BMWED members encouraged to read

Published: Mar 11 2016 12:16PM

As the clock ticks closer to the 12:01 a.m. Sunday, March 13 deadline, the New Jersey Transit Rail Labor Coalition (of which the BMWED is a part) meets again today with NJ Transit management in an effort to avoid service disruption and secure a new agreement for the 4,000-plus Union employees.

The unionized employees of the NJT have worked without a contract for nearly five years. Despite lengthy meetings this week in Newark, we have yet to agree on wage increases, health care costs and the length of a contract.

Our Brothers and Sisters on NJT are encouraged by the countless messages of unity and strength from their Brothers and Sisters working for other railroads. They realize this is a fight that affects us all.

Remember, the March 13 deadline only applies to NJ Transit BMWED members. If lawful secondary action is required to support our Brothers and Sisters on NJT in the coming days, official notice will be sent to all Brotherhood members. But, for now, we are limiting any potential action to the BMWED Commuter Railroad System Division and our members on the NJT. We are hopeful that NJT management and Gov. Chris Christie will agree to the recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board #249 and an agreement can be reached before deadline.