NJ Transit, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union sign tentative agreement
New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) has come to a tentative agreement on a new contract with its locomotive engineers represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). If the contract is ratified by the engineers and approved by NJ Transit’s board, it will end five years of contract talks that at times involved federal mediation and recommendations by two presidential emergency boards.
NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri and BLET General Chairman Thomas Haas issued a joint statement following the agreement:
“We are pleased to announce a fair and fiscally responsible contract settlement that ensures value for our taxpayers and customers and provides a reasonable wage increase for BLET members. Apart from the contract settlement, we have resolved a long-standing grievance and settled another outstanding dispute between the parties in a manner that benefits both parties, paving the way for the introduction of new technology that enhances efficiencies at NJ Transit and supports our workforce. We believe this agreement not only reflects NJ Transit’s commitment to fairness, efficiency, innovation and long-term financial sustainability – but it ensures uninterrupted rail service for the 100,000 people who depend on it.”
The tentative eight-year contract governs about 500 BLET members and covers the period from 2020 through 2027. If ratified, the total wage package will narrow the pay gap between NJ Transit engineers and those at other commuter railroads.
“Having the new NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri at the bargaining table brought a new perspective to the issues that were in dispute. With his assistance, we were able to reach a tentative agreement worthy of the membership’s vote,” said BLET National Vice President James P. Louis.
“Included in the proposed contract is the first in the nation commuter technology agreement for the introduction of electronic information to be used by NJ Transit locomotive engineers,” Louis added. “This will help ensure that engineers that transport hundreds of thousands of commuters to and from their destinations have the most current information to safety operate their trains.”
The National Division will distribute ballots and copies of the tentative agreement next week. Votes will be counted on April 15, 2025.
Eman Abu-Khaled | Associate Editor
Eman Abu-Khaled is a graduate of Kent State University with a bachelors in journalism. She works through Endeavor Business Media with Mass Transit as an associate editor. Abu-Khaled brings a fresh perspective to the visual side of journalism with an interest in video and photography work.
