NJ Transit Strike Averted Railroad Rescue

The article focuses on the ongoing labor dispute between NJ Transit and its locomotive engineers, represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). The engineers overwhelmingly rejected a tentative contract agreement, citing insufficient wage increases and inadequate provisions to address the rising cost of living. This rejection sets the stage for a potential strike that could severely disrupt transportation for hundreds of thousands of commuters in New Jersey and the surrounding region. Federal intervention is now a key factor, with the government aiming to avert a strike. The National Mediation Board (NMB) has been involved in mediation efforts, but these have so far failed to produce a mutually acceptable agreement. The article suggests that the Biden administration is wary of a strike, particularly given its potential impact on the economy and the upcoming election cycle. The article frames the dispute within a broader context of rising inflation and the increasing cost of living, arguing that workers are demanding wage increases that reflect these economic realities. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/12/haen-m12.html