NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit commuter train engineers are refusing to work overtime on scheduled days off, leading to more cancelled trains.
NJ.com reports that the move is in protest of a contract violation. James P. Brown, general chairman for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers NJ Transit Local, told the news organization that NJ Transit had offered selected workers extra money to work special events. “It is a violation [because] it must be offered to all,” Brown said. “… NJ Transit has chosen to violate the collective bargaining agreement. This is [by] individuals who are fed up with the contract violations.”
NJ Transit spokesman Nancy Snyder disagreed, saying the agency adhered to the contract and that under the agreement, “there is a formal process in place to resolve disputes.”
The engineers’ move has a significant impact because NJ Transit continues to have a shortage of qualified engineers, an issue it is trying to address with increased training of new hires [see “First NJ Transit engineer training group completes classroom instruction,” Trains News Wire, April 1, 2019]. But that training program can take up to 20 months.
It only took me six months on Chessie System.
20 months to train an engineer?
Though I guess when 1500 flight hours are required for a pilot, this isn’t much different.
Isnt there an extra board there, I wouldn’t wanna work OT on days off, rest & relaxation is priceless!!!
Why can’t they go in seniority order?