New Jersey's Rail Deal Sets Example for Prioritizing Transit Workers

On May 15, 2025, New Jersey’s rail system fell silent. For three days, 450 locomotive engineers, backed by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, halted service in a historic strike, the first in 42 years. Nearly 350,000 daily riders faced chaos—overflowing buses, gridlocked roads, and shuttered businesses in Newark and New York. By May 18, a tentative agreement emerged, proving that valuing workers can restore order and fairness.

This moment tested New Jersey’s priorities. Governor Phil Murphy and NJ TRANSIT leaders faced a choice: support the engineers who power the state’s transit or prioritize cost-cutting over people. They chose to negotiate a deal that boosts wages without raising fares, a victory for commuters and workers alike. It shows that public transit thrives when we invest in those who keep it running.

The engineers sought fair compensation for operating complex trains under intense pressure. Their pay trailed behind peers at other commuter rail systems, despite identical demands. Since the 1980s, transit workers’ real wages have often lagged, while operational costs and executive pay soared. These engineers didn’t demand extravagance; they wanted salaries reflecting their critical role.

Some policymakers and privatization advocates called the strike disruptive, arguing unions inflate budgets. They cite reports, like those from the Heritage Foundation, claiming private operators could slash costs by 30 percent. Yet, privatization often cuts corners—lower wages, weaker safety, and unreliable service. The 2003 Los Angeles transit strike revealed how service disruptions hit low-income communities hardest. New Jersey’s engineers fought for a system that serves everyone, not just the bottom line.

Announced on May 18, the agreement grants engineers multi-step wage increases, surpassing regional competitors, while keeping fares steady. NJ TRANSIT’s contingency measures—park-and-ride lots and added bus routes—helped during the strike but reached only 20 percent of riders. Full rail service, set to resume May 20 after safety checks, restores the region’s lifeline. Pending union and board approval, this deal shows dialogue can deliver.

Compare this to federal proposals undermining labor protections, like plans to repeal Section 13(c) of the 1964 Urban Mass Transportation Act. These rules safeguard workers’ rights during funding changes, and removing them risks weaker services. The Biden-Harris administration’s 2024 rail safety standards, requiring nationwide training, offer a smarter approach. New Jersey’s deal aligns with that vision, prioritizing workers to strengthen transit.

Public transit powers economies and communities. The May 2025 strike cost businesses $6 million hourly in lost productivity, with low-income riders—often nonwhite and carless—facing the worst barriers. Research from 2020 links transit cuts to reduced access to jobs and healthcare, deepening inequality. New Jersey’s leaders understood this, choosing stability over short-term savings.

Nationwide, transit faces a $152 billion funding shortfall through 2033. Federal grants, like the $400 million Low-No Emission program, help but fall short. States like Minnesota use dedicated taxes to bolster transit, a path New Jersey could follow. Why let workers and riders suffer when transit drives prosperity? Stable funding and fair labor deals are the answer.

New Jersey’s rail agreement is a win worth celebrating. It proves that worker advocacy, through strikes or negotiations, can deliver fairness for all. But the work continues. Leaders must resist efforts to weaken labor rights or cut transit budgets. Commuters need dependable service, and workers deserve just pay. Anything less undermines our shared future.

As trains restart on May 20, let’s honor the engineers’ resolve and build on their success. Their stand reminds us that collective effort drives change. Will we seize this chance to strengthen transit nationwide? New Jersey’s triumph lights the way.