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The Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is preparing to deploy special forces to assist commuters if a strike by NJ Transit engineers occurs later this week. The engineers' union is threatening to strike on Friday (May 16) if no agreement is reached with NJ Transit, with wages as the main issue.
The Port Authority has announced a contingency plan to help commuters navigate potential disruptions. Teams of customer ambassadors will be stationed at five PATH stations during peak travel hours to provide information, manage crowding, and assist commuters unfamiliar with the PATH system. The Port Authority aims to ensure that customers remain on track during their commutes if NJ Transit services are disrupted.
The NJ Transit engineers' union and agency management have been in a standoff over wages, with negotiations at an impasse. According to New Jersey Monitor, the union is seeking higher salary increases than those proposed by NJ Transit. The engineers have been working under an expired contract since 2019, and the union could initiate a strike after 11:59 p.m. on May 15.
The National Mediation Board has called a meeting in Washington, D.C., on Monday (May 12) to mediate the dispute. As reported by NorthJersey.com, the meeting aims to provide a status update on negotiations. If the strike occurs, NJ Transit plans to launch additional buses to accommodate about 20% of its daily riders, at a cost of approximately $4 million per day.
The potential strike could significantly impact commuter rail operations in New Jersey, affecting both NJ Transit and Metro-North services. The Port Authority's contingency plan is part of efforts to mitigate the impact on commuters. Meanwhile, discussions between the union and NJ Transit continue, with both sides trying to reach an agreement to avoid the strike.