NJ Transit strike again a possibility

Two unions have rejected the deal hashed out in March, putting a strike or lockout back on the table

NJ Transit — and by extension, Rockland rail commuters — aren't out of the woods yet when it comes to the railroad's two-year-long labor dispute.

In March, the railroad and 17 different rail unions came to an agreement, avoiding a strike that threatned to jam highways and pack buses and ferries west of the Hudson.

Over the weekend, however, two unions, one representing more than 1,000 conductors and another representing 400 locomotive engineers, voted down the deal by "narrow margins," according to NJ Transit.

The vote puts a possible strike or lockout back on the table for the railroad, which provides train service out of Rockland's five train stations under contract with Metro-North.

First comes a federally mandated 60-day cooling off period.

"Obviously, there’s concern. Hopefully they can negotiate a little into the package,” said Orrin Getz, the Rockland liaison to the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers and a member of the Metro-North Rail Commuter Council.

Getz said NJ Transit's difficult financial position complicates matters. During negotiations, the railroad said caving into labor demands would mean fare increases. Meanwhile, the state's transportation trust fund, which pays for maintenance, repairs and improvements, is set to run out by August, according to New Jersey's acting Transportation Commissioner Richard Hammer.

The railroad also hired, and then lost, a new executive director. William Crosbie backed out less than a week before he was supposed to take the job, citing concerns about relocating his family from Virginia.

Metro-North has said it was keeping a close watch on the negotiations.

In the week leading up to the deadline, both Metro-North and New Jersey Transit released contingency plans, including adding more buses in the Garden State and shuttles to Westchester rail stations. Both railroads also had plans to cross honor tickets. NJ Transit advised travelers to work from home if possible.

Source: Lohud.com