• New Jersey Transit engineers go on strike, stranding about 350,000 commuters.
• The strike is the first of its kind in over 40 years for the state.
• Salary disputes between the union and transit agency led to the stalemate.
• Contingency bus services can only accommodate 20% of usual rail passengers.
• Governor Murphy urges quick resolution while commuters express frustration.

New Jersey Transit train engineers commenced a strike early Friday morning, impacting an estimated 350,000 commuters in New Jersey and New York City. This marked the state’s first transit strike in over four decades and follows failed negotiations on Thursday night. The engineers, represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), walked off the job after rejecting the last proposal from NJ Transit management, leading to a complete halt of all NJ Transit commuter trains, which service critical routes into New York City, according to Indiatimes and HuffPost.

The walkout began at 12:01 a.m. and was triggered by prolonged negotiations that failed to satisfy the engineers’ demand for a significant salary increase after five years without a raise. Engineers are seeking an average pay of $170,000 per year, compared to their current average of $113,000. NJ Transit officials argue that their average earnings are closer to $135,000, complicating negotiations further, according to Indiatimes and New York Times.

Governor Phil Murphy expressed disappointment over the strike, emphasizing the necessity of reaching a fair agreement while managing fiscal responsibilities to New Jersey taxpayers. He criticized the union leaders for their decision to strike, stating that they had "rejected fair proposals" that could have addressed their wage grievances responsibly. Murphy called this situation “a mess of their own making,” highlighting the impact on commuters who rely on NJ Transit, according to HuffPost and New York Times.

Contingency plans have been announced; however, these will provide limited support, covering only 20% of the usual rail passenger capacity with expanded bus services expected to start next week. NJ Transit has been preparing to contract private carriers to facilitate bus services from key areas, but significant disruptions were anticipated, especially during major events like the Shakira concerts at MetLife Stadium, where services were already canceled, as reported by Indiatimes and New York Times.

Federal mediation efforts supervised by the National Mediation Board have been in place, but the parties have yet to reach a consensus. NJ Transit officials are hopeful for a resumption of talks and a potential resolution soon, given the significant economic implications of the ongoing strike. Experts warn that the situation could lead to severe traffic and infrastructure challenges in Manhattan, complicating transportation further, according to HuffPost and New York Times.