Newark, New Jersey — Negotiations between NJ Transit and the rail engineers union showed signs of progress on Saturday as the second day of discussions unfolded amid an ongoing strike. Kris Kolluri, the President and CEO of NJ Transit, characterized the talks as “constructive,” signaling a hopeful direction for both parties involved.
In a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, Kolluri announced that while formal discussions would be paused for the day, both sides remain committed to continued dialogue. “We look forward to resuming discussions tomorrow,” he stated, suggesting an openness to finding common ground.
As union representatives exited the meeting, B.L.E.T. General Chairman Tom Haas expressed a cautiously optimistic outlook. “We’re sitting down and talking, we’re moving in the right direction,” he said, reinforcing Kolluri’s sentiment that a majority of issues have been resolved. However, he noted that lingering challenges have persisted for nearly two years. “It’s just these last few issues that have been so difficult to work out,” Haas explained.
The ongoing strike impacts roughly 350,000 daily commuters, highlighting the urgency for a resolution. Riders have been left in limbo, facing disruptions to their travel plans and uncertainty about their daily commutes. Haas emphasized, “We want to be back at work. We want to be running the trains. My guys would like nothing more than to be at work and not out here.”
The National Mediation Board is expected to re-engage in the discussions on Sunday, potentially facilitating a resolution. Both the transit authority and the union appear eager to resolve the remaining sticking points, which have complicated previous negotiations.
Despite these issues, the dialogue has been characterized by a willingness to engage and seek solutions. The focus remains on reaching an agreement that serves both the workforce and the commuting public, who are reliant on rail services for their daily activities.
Moving forward, the cooperation between NJ Transit and the union could pave the way for a swift conclusion to the strike. Stakeholders are hopeful that continued discussions will yield a mutually beneficial outcome, allowing for trains to resume operation and commuters to return to their normal routines.