NJ Transit Settles Unlawful Juneteenth Job Action Case with National BLET Union for $50,000

On the eve of the incident's one-year anniversary, the Union's National President affirms it doesn't condone illegal job actions while NJ Transit still pursues claims against the local union organization.

NEWARK, NJ - Almost a year after an unlawful job action on Juneteenth that affected over 75,000 NJ Transit rail commuters, the agency has settled a legal dispute with the National Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), amounting to $50,000. The illegal job action, which led to severe delays, cancellations, and a system-wide suspension of train services, was orchestrated by the local General Committee of Adjustment (GCA).

The settlement announcement comes as NJ Transit continues to pursue legal claims against the GCA, which the Federal Court determined violated the Railway Labor Act by instigating the disruptive "sick-out" last June. A court order remains in effect, prohibiting the local union from staging similar illegal actions in the future, including this year's Juneteenth holiday.

"NJ TRANSIT is pleased that the National BLET recognizes that Federal law prohibiting a job action must be followed and that they are committed to ensuring their membership in New Jersey follows the law moving forward," said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. "We fully expect the BLET local union to realize there are serious consequences for unilaterally violating the law to the detriment of tens of thousands of New Jersey residents."

In a letter dated June 6, 2023, BLET National President Edward Hall, without acknowledging or admitting any wrongdoing relating to the illegal job action, affirmed to NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett that the National BLET "does not condone unlawful strikes, slowdowns, or other such job actions by its affiliates. Consistent with our Bylaws and our obligations under the Railway Labor Act, BLET will continue to urge its affiliates and their members to comply with the law and not engage in unlawful strikes, slowdowns or other such job actions."

Last year, on June 17, 2022, NJ TRANSIT locomotive engineers participated in an illegal job action by not reporting to their assignments, forcing the transit agency to cancel nearly 300 trains. NJ TRANSIT maintains that it has made a fair contract offer, which has been accepted and ratified by 14 of 15 rail unions covering 91% of NJ TRANSIT rail union employees, including the Juneteenth holiday. The GCA is the only union not to accept these terms. Negotiations between NJ TRANSIT and the GCA are still ongoing through the National Mediation Board.