New Jersey's Transit Strike Proves We Must Value Essential Workers and Fund Transit

When New Jersey’s rail system shut down at midnight on May 16, 2025, the impact hit like a tidal wave. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, 450 workers strong, launched the first NJ TRANSIT strike in over four decades. For the 100,000 daily commuters who depend on these trains, the disruption upended lives. Parents scrambled for childcare, small businesses faced empty storefronts, and highways clogged with frustrated drivers. At the core of this turmoil is a vital struggle: the engineers’ fight for wages that match their indispensable role.

This crisis didn’t erupt overnight. Months of tense negotiations faltered as engineers pushed for fair pay, rejecting a March 10 agreement that 14 other rail unions accepted. Their stand reveals a stark reality: the workers who keep our state moving deserve respect and a voice in shaping our transit future. Their courage demands our attention.

The strike tests our priorities. Do we value the people who drive our economy, or do we let budget disputes dictate their worth? The answer shapes not just this moment but the future of New Jersey’s communities, from bustling cities to quiet suburbs.

The strike’s fallout is staggering. Research shows transit stoppages boost car crashes by 14 percent and child respiratory hospitalizations by 11 percent. Urban congestion costs millions daily. In New Jersey, where 70,000 commuters travel to New York each day, the shutdown creates chaos. NJ TRANSIT’s contingency buses, set to start May 19, can carry only 20 percent of riders, leaving most to fend for themselves in traffic or costly alternatives.

The state urges employers to allow remote work, a solution that helps some but not all. Data indicates 30 percent of workers can telecommute, but many—healthcare workers, teachers, retail staff—must travel. These workers, often lower-income, face the brunt of the crisis. The Park & Ride bus plan, while creative, falls short of meeting the need, underscoring the fragility of our transit system.

The engineers’ demands are rooted in fairness. Years of wage stagnation, documented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, have eroded their livelihoods as living costs climb. Advocates for workers’ rights have long argued that transit employees deserve better. Why should those who power our commutes sacrifice to balance the budget?

Some claim the engineers are selfish, holding commuters hostage to extract higher pay at taxpayers’ expense. This perspective, often voiced by budget hawks, argues that union demands strain NJ TRANSIT’s finances, risking fare hikes or tax burdens. Yet this view ignores the root issue: chronic underfunding has crippled public transit, forcing agencies to pit worker pay against basic upkeep.

The outdated practice of pattern bargaining, born under the 1920s Railway Labor Act, worsens the divide. It fragments unions, as seen when the engineers alone rejected a deal others accepted. This system undermines collective bargaining, a vital tool for securing fair wages. Advocates for workers’ rights have pushed for reforms to unify negotiations, ensuring equitable outcomes for all transit employees.

The true problem lies not with workers but with a system that neglects public transit. Increased federal and state funding, long championed by worker advocates, could stabilize agencies and prevent service disruptions. Protections like Section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act safeguard labor rights during funding disputes. Why not use these measures to resolve the standoff?

Resolving this crisis begins with renewed negotiations. The governor’s pledge for round-the-clock talks is promising, but action must follow. Engineers deserve a contract that honors their work without squeezing commuters. Boosting transit funding, a key priority for worker advocates, could deliver fair wages and reliable service. Recent labor victories in transportation, from port workers to airline staff, show the power of collective action. New Jersey’s engineers are part of this movement, and their cause merits our solidarity.

This moment highlights a broader truth: public transit is essential to our communities. Underfunding it harms workers and riders alike. The 1966 New York City transit strike paralyzed the region and cost millions. New Jersey can avoid that fate by investing in its transit system and its people.

What will it take to restore our rails? A commitment to fairness, bold investment in transit, and respect for the workers who keep us moving. The engineers are not the problem—they are the heart of our system. Let’s stand with them to build a stronger New Jersey.