NJ Rail Union Holds State Hostage, Stranding 100,000 Commuters

On May 16, 2025, New Jersey’s rail system ground to a halt. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, with 450 members, launched a strike that left over 100,000 daily commuters stranded. Traffic jams choked highways, businesses took a hit, and families struggled to adapt. This labor dispute has spiraled into a crisis that threatens the state’s economy and every taxpayer’s wallet.

The union rejected a tentative deal their own leaders praised as ‘fair and responsible’ on March 10. Now, NJ TRANSIT’s pleas for renewed talks are met with picket lines. This standoff raises a critical question. Why must ordinary New Jerseyans suffer while a single union holds the state hostage?

This strike, the first in over four decades, exposes a deeper problem. Public sector unions, emboldened by years of lax oversight, wield outsized influence. Their actions don’t just disrupt rail service; they drive up costs for everyone. Taxpayers deserve to know why their needs come second.

The fallout is staggering. NJ TRANSIT’s contingency plan, relying on buses to serve just 20 percent of rail riders, falls short. Roads are overwhelmed, with research showing transit strikes boost car hours by 11 to 13 percent and crashes by 14 percent. Pollution spikes 14 percent, hitting vulnerable kids hardest, with hospital admissions for respiratory issues rising 11 percent.

Long-term, the union’s push for higher wages and benefits spells trouble. Public sector contracts often lock in inflexible spending, a pattern seen since the 1960s. These deals inflate transit costs, leading to higher fares or taxes. NJ TRANSIT’s budget, already stretched thin, can’t absorb these demands without burdening the public or delaying infrastructure fixes.

Some defend the engineers, citing their essential role and need for fair pay. But fairness works both ways. Wage hikes that outstrip inflation hurt riders and taxpayers, diverting funds from track repairs or new trains. The 1966 New York City strike cost $125 million in lost wages in one week. New Jersey can’t risk that kind of damage.

The answer lies in disciplined negotiations, not surrender. NJ TRANSIT’s leadership is right to stay at the table but must hold firm against demands that harm the public. Taxpayers expect accountability, efficiency, and fairness—values that should shape every contract. Why should families subsidize deals that prioritize union wishes over public needs?

Other states offer lessons. New York’s Taylor Law, enacted after the 1966 strike, limits public sector walkouts to protect vital services. Research from groups like the Hoover Institution supports tying transit funds to performance goals, ensuring lean operations. New Jersey should explore similar reforms, curbing strike powers and tackling pension costs that strain budgets.

Remote work has helped, with up to 30 percent of workers staying home, easing pressure on roads and buses. Yet this is a temporary fix. A lasting solution requires a contract that balances worker pay with taxpayer realities, not one that caves to union pressure.

This strike must spark change. New Jersey can’t afford to be paralyzed by union tactics. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen needs to negotiate in good faith, prioritizing compromise over ultimatums. Each day of disruption costs millions, from lost retail sales to traffic-related expenses.

Taxpayers deserve a transit system that serves them. That means affordable fares, timely infrastructure upgrades, and contracts that don’t pile on debt. NJ TRANSIT’s contingency buses, running from places like Secaucus Junction and Hamilton, are a stopgap, not a solution. A functioning rail system is non-negotiable.

It’s time to act. Lawmakers should champion reforms that limit union overreach and protect public funds. New Jerseyans shouldn’t have to choose between getting to work and keeping their taxes manageable. The way forward is clear: negotiate fairly, prioritize taxpayers, and get the trains running.