NJ TRANSIT, Unions Clash Over Possible Shutdown Plans
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- As face-to-face negotiations to avert a possible state-wide rail strike took a day off Wednesday, another issue appeared to generate differing viewpoints from the two sides: what will happen at midnight Saturday if no agreement is reached?
As they did in the days leading up to Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, NJ TRANSIT officials said they have a plan to gradually shut down rail service across the state if no contract agreement is reached with rail worker unions.
NJ TRANSIT interim executive director Dennis Martin didn't offer details Wednesday, but said it has worked with unions on how to implement the plan.
A union official said that isn't the case and that NJ TRANSIT hasn't shared its plans or sought input.
"We had hoped to have some meetings with NJ TRANSIT to have an orderly shutdown,'' but those meetings didn't go as planned, said Stephen Burkert, chairman of SMART, a coalition of unions involved in the negotiations, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported. "I don't think an undue stress on the commuters of New Jersey transit helps anybody."
Trains couldn't be stopped cold right at the strike deadline at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Burkert said, but would have to be gradually taken out of service. Otherwise, equipment and, more important, passengers would be left in the wrong places.
Martin said that won't happen.
"We have contingencies that would prevent anybody from getting stranded,'' he said.
Anxiety among riders is growing as a possible shutdown looms.
"I'm going to leave early, go to work early, and come home early. My only options. I have no choice-- gotta go to work," one commuter told WCBS 880's Sean Adams.
When asked what rail riders should do if they are planning to take trains Saturday night, Martin added, "If I were them I would make travel plans consistent with what we have scheduled, but after midnight plan to have another alternative.''
On the back end of a strike, Burkert added, even a shutdown of 24 hours could result in another few days of inspections to equipment and infrastructure before full service could resume.
If there is a work stoppage, some are pointing the finger at Gov. Chris Christie.
"NJ TRANSIT's operating budget has become something of a shambles," Martin Robins, a former NJ Transit executive, told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
He said workers threatening to strike usually look at past patterns, wanting a similar deal given to Metro North and LIRR workers.
Sen. Cory Booker is monitoring the negotiations and he said he's in touch with all the parties, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
"As United States Senator representing our state and understanding that should we have a strike, it will be a traffic Armageddon for our region, with hundreds of millions of dollars of impact, depending on how long it goes," he said.
Booker said he's doing everything he can to try to get the parties to a conclusion that averts a strike while honoring workers who deserve a pay increase.
"This can't happen. We cannot allow this to happen. The parties must come to a satisfactory conclusion and I'm going to continue to do everything I can for my office to get the parties, to empower the parties to reach that conclusion," Booker added.
Contract negotiations are to resume Thursday, after both sides reported progress was made during talks Tuesday. Burkert said Wednesday would be spent reviewing proposals made Tuesday.
Burkert said the major issues that divide the two sides -- wage increases, workers' health care payments and contract length -- are still on the table. Both sides said progress was made Tuesday.
"I'm not a betting man, but we are going to remain talking until we get this thing settled,'' Martin said when asked to offer odds on a strike being averted.
An NJ TRANSIT spokeswoman said the agency has plans to accommodate rail pass-holders in the event of a shutdown, but didn't provide details.
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