Mike Davis

@byMikeDavis

NEWARK - With a room full of unionized rail workers preparing to strike, a looming threat of a statewide rail shutdown cast a shadow over NJ Transit's monthly board meeting.

Much of the standing-room-only crowd at NJ Transit's Newark headquarters erupted in applause as union representatives spoke of the debilitating effects of a rail shutdown in the event of a strike or lockout.

"I stand here today in hopes that you’re aware of the effort put forth by the coalition in trying to come to an agreement at the conference table and not a picket line," said Steve Burkert, general chairman of the SMART-TD Local 60. "I urge the board to assist us in any way to avoid a possible work stoppage. The workers and people of NJ Transit deserve it.”

NJ Transit labor fight: Is a strike, lockout on the horizon?

A coalition of 17 rail unions and its 4,200 members are set to strike on March 13 if a settlement on a new contract with NJ Transit cannot be reached. The unions have been without a deal for five years and the agency recently rejected the recommendations of two federal labor boards.

NJ Transit could also lock the union workers out, which a newsletter to coalition members expects will happen simultaneously with a strike.

Burkert suggested that NJ Transit could not take any real action toward a settlement without coordinating with state higher-ups, including Gov. Chris Christie – who returned to New Jersey on Wednesday during a potential tailspin on his presidential campaign.

Obama intervenes in NJ Transit labor fight

"There's a clear pattern set here. One side has done everything they can possibly do and more to reach a voluntary agreement and one hasn't made an attempt because they don't have the authority to do so," Burkert said.

The coalition has already told its members to prepare for a work stoppage, according to recent newsletter distributed to members. The last NJ Transit strike lasted six weeks in the spring of 1983.

“Once a strike begins, no one knows how long it will last,” the newsletter states. “If you do not want to be paying the extreme insurance contributions that NJT is demanding, you must be prepared to strike for as long as it takes for NJT to come to its senses.”

Because the most recent federal board ruled the coalition’s offer was the most favorable, striking workers will be eligible for $671 every two weeks, after a 14-day waiting period.

“The last thing we want to do is inconvenience the people of the state of New Jersey,” SMART-TD legislative director Dan O’Connell said on Wednesday. “But going on five years without a contract is untenable. The coalition is willing to meet whenever and wherever.”

Whether it's a strike or a lockout, commuters and frequent rail passengers are concerned about a shutdown that would bring the state's transportation network to its knees.

"This would be an absolute disaster for thousands of people, for the business community and an economic disaster for the region," said David Peter Alan, chairman of rail advocacy group the Lackawanna Coalition. "People who depend on transit will be absolutely stuck. It won't be a matter of inconvenience. It will be a disaster."

The coalition has supported signing an agreement based on the labor board’s recommendations, which Burkert said would still leave NJ Transit workers at the bottom of the pack in the northeast.

But the combination of wage, healthcare and the length of the contract proposed by NJ Transit would essentially result in a pay cut on the first day for many workers, Burkert said.

“We have done everything in our power to avert this but, at some point, I can’t ask anybody’s membership to sign an agreement with a pay cut,” Burkert said in an impromptu press conference after the meeting. “We have again and again offered them options to come to a voluntary agreement. We would prefer to sit at the negotiating table.”

NJ Transit interim executive director Dennis Martin declined to comment on the negotiations during a scheduled media session.

"NJ Transit is actively involved in developing a robust alternative service plan in the event the unions call a strike," Martin said in a statement issued last week. "We are working with our regional partners, including NJDOT, to provide as much service as possible to our customers. However, it is premature to discuss details of this plan. We remain focused on reaching an affordable settlement with our rail unions."

Mike Davis: (732) 643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com. Click here to subscribe to Mike’s weekly “Road Sage” newsletter.