New Jerseyans wake up this morning without the use of NJ Transit after the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen authorized the first work stoppage in 42 years at 12:01 a.m.
Jerseyans also wake up with another meaning for the phrase: ‘Me, too.’
Gov. Phil Murphy and NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri, in a late Thursday night press briefing from Penn Station in Newark, said one of the biggest obstacles to getting a deal done is that the size of the raise given to B.L.E.T. could triggers clauses in the deals NJ Transit has reached with 14 other unions — clauses requiring those unions to get increases, too.
It’s a ‘Me, too’ clause that has been around for much longer than the #MeToo movement that led to the recent reckoning of rampant sexual harassment.
Here’s the catch: In this case, the leaders of the B.L.E.T. — in their own late-night press conference — said the ‘Me, too’ clauses in union contracts would not kick in because the B.L.E.T. was agreeing to other cost savings.
It’s not certain which side is correct.
And it’s not the only thing that’s unclear.
Consider:
· Length: It’s obviously unclear how long the strike will last – the work stoppage in 1983 lasted three weeks.
· Talks: It’s unclear when the sides will talk again, formally or informally, though both sides said they are willing to meet with federal mediators, perhaps as soon as Sunday.
· Impact: It’s unclear when the strike will have its greatest impact. While it certainly will be disruptive today (Friday), many think its biggest impact will be felt Monday.
The only thing certain at this point is this: It will now become a war of words as both sides look to turn public perception to their side.
Consider:
· Wages: NJ Transit said it is offering wages to the unions that are equivalent to similar jobs at other rail networks in the region. The union says the wage divide is still greater – and far greater than the divide of other NJ Transit unions.
· Negotiations: NJ Transit said it is ready to negotiate anytime and anywhere. The union said it went into Thursday night meetings with the intent to reach a deal and was surprised that NJ Transit walked away from the table, two hours before the strike was set to start.
· Not-so-done deals: NJ Transit said they had reached a fair deal with union leaders weeks ago; the union leaders said its members did not agree – and had the right to reject it.
If you’re looking for official words, here you go:
From Murphy: “Over the past several weeks and months, we have been working around the clock to avoid this strike and keep NJ Transit operating at full capacity. As always, our single highest priority has always been to provide the best possible service to our state’s commuters and taxpayers.
“This strike will upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans. My message tonight to our locomotive engineers is this: The path to a new contract will be paved at the negotiating table, not the picket line. Ultimately, it is the people of New Jersey who will suffer because of this strike.
“I am calling on our locomotive engineers to remain at the negotiating table to reach a fair and affordable deal so we can get the trains moving again as soon as possible and avoid raising costs on riders and taxpayers.”
From Tom Haas, general chairman of B.L.E.T.: “We’ve been attempting for over five years to bring New Jersey Transit engineers up to a wage level that is commensurate with all the other passenger railroad engineers in the Northeast. Unfortunately, New Jersey Transit just was not willing to bridge that gap, and we find ourselves at the end of our road.
“This is not something that we undertake lightly. We completely understand the impact that a strike can and will have on all the commuters of New Jersey, but ultimately, let’s be clear, this rests at the feet of New Jersey Transit. They could have avoided this. They could have avoided this for the last five and a half years instead of engaging in delay tactics and not negotiating in good faith with us. We could have an agreement right now.
“Ultimately, we spent the entire day today offering numerous concessions and ways for New Jersey Transit to reach an agreement with us that would provide for a fair wage in a fiscally responsible way. But instead, they’re relying upon this assertion somehow, that that any increase provided to locomotive engineers would have to be provided, would have to be provided to every other employee in New Jersey Transit rail, which is simply not the case.”
