NJ Transit insiders say there is a 75 to 85 percent likelihood that a coalition of 17 rail unions, which have been working without a contract for five years, will call a "soft strike" over the weekend of March 12.

The strike could likely last through the Monday morning commute on March 14, when workers say they expect to be ordered back to work by the Obama administration. The last strike in March 1983 lasted for 34 days.

"They'll soften the blow ... Let the media know, let commuters know, let everyone get home on Friday night," one NJ Transit insider said.

NJ Transit and the rail unions met Wednesday as a March strike deadline approaches. NJ Transit spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said those negotiation were substantive. She declined to answer a question about when the next negation session would be held.

Another source inside the organization said that management personnel have received "strike duty" training.



However, workers said there are factions in the unions that don't want to strike because they feel it won't accomplish anything.

"If we go on strike, it will not be looked on positively by the commuters," an employee said. "They'll blame the union for striking."



NJ Transit management also has the option of locking workers out after the cooling off period is over.



Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.