NJ Transit, unions preparing for strike

NJ Transit, unions preparing for strike
http://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-transit-unions-preparing-for-strike-1...
JUNE 24, 2016, 6:33 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016, 9:45 AM
NJ Transit, unions preparing for strike

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Commuters board a Hoboken-bound NJ Transit train in Rutherford on Wednesday, May 4, 2016.
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER | THE RECORD

Leaders of NJ Transit’s two largest rail unions did not respond to an offer to continue contract negotiations before a Friday afternoon deadline, moving the two sides closer to a strike or lockout next week that could disrupt commutes for tens of thousands of New Jersey residents.

As a result, NJ Transit will announce its plans for a possible strike on Monday, said Nancy Snyder, a spokeswoman for the agency.

“Although the unions and NJ Transit have been in contact many times over the last few days, their bargaining remains unresolved,” Snyder said. “NJ Transit is committed to ensuring that customers suffer the least inconvenience possible as a result of these unions’ inflexibility.”

Related: NJ Transit gives rail unions deadline to agree to new negotiations

Steve Burkert, general chairman of United Transportation Union Local 60, and David Decker, general chairman NJ Transit Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment. But in a statement posted on the union’s website on Wednesday, Burkert appeared inclined to reject any offer of extended talks. Instead, Burkert indicated a desire to either agree to a new contract by June 30, or strike.

“Members, we DO NOT have a Temporary Agreement as of today,” Burkert said. “I, HAVE NOT AGREED, at this point to extending the cooling off period as has been mentioned in the news media. I am ready to sit and negotiate a new temporary agreement whenever the Carrier is ready to talk. The cooling off period ends on June 30th, 2016, next Thursday.”

Two weeks ago the National Mediation Board asked NJ Transit and its two largest unions of rail employees to meet for more contract talks, which already have lasted more than five years. NJ Transit accepted the offer, but only if the unions also accepted before 5 p.m. Friday, according to a letter from Gary Dellaverson, NJ Transit’s special labor counsel, which was obtained by The Record.

The unions never responded, Snyder said. The two sides are currently in a “cooling off” period, as defined by the federal Railway Labor Act of 1926, which means the unions may not strike and NJ Transit, the carrier, may not bar workers from its properties. The period ends June 30, at which point either side is free to escalate the dispute with a work stoppage

With no answer in hand, NJ Transit “must begin executing its plans for operations in the event of a strike,” according to Dellaverson’s letter.

Together the two unions represent about 1,600 conductors and engineers, nearly 40 percent of the agency’s train workforce. The other nine unions have ratified a new contract, which was announced by Governor Christie in March. The holdouts are pushing to keep their existing health insurance plan, obtain five years’ worth of back pay in one lump sum instead of two, and to win a larger salary increase on par with a contract won in 2014 by similar workers on the Long Island Railroad.

Email: maag@northjersey.com