Striking Train Engineers Picket Outside NJ Transit HQ In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — The NJ Transit train strike has already begun making its mark on Newark.

Contract negotiations between NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen failed Thursday night, kicking off a complete suspension of rail service on Friday, including Metro-North west of Hudson service. An arm-wrestling match over wages has been the main sticking point in negotiations.

“This strike will upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans,” Gov. Phil Murphy said.

>> Read More: Here Is How To Get Around During The NJ Transit Strike

NJ Transit announced its contingency plans on April 30. Officials said the agency was focusing its available resources where demand is greatest: more than 70,000 daily New York-bound customers, including customers who transfer from NJ Transit rail to PATH trains at Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station.

Striking train engineers formed a picket line outside NJ Transit’s headquarters in Newark on Friday morning. The workers carried signs that read “Locomotive Engineers on Strike” and “NJ Transit: Millions for Penthouse Views Nothing for Train Crews.”

New Jersey Sen. Renee Burgess (NJ-28) said the strike will be especially tough on her home district, which includes Newark, South Orange and Maplewood. All have train stations within their borders, the senator pointed out.

"Although I applaud employees' rights to demonstrate decent wages and conditions, I also see the incredible hardship this strike inflicts on our citizens," Burgess said. "I call on NJ Transit officials and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen to return to negotiations immediately and in good faith."

"A fair and prompt resolution is not just better, it's necessary," Burgess said. "Our families must not be left behind."

Striking workers also formed picket lines on Friday in the nearby city of Hoboken. Read More: Peek Inside Hoboken Train Station Amid NJ Transit Strike (PHOTOS)

Meanwhile, Newark Airport continues to see “chaotic” delays and cancellations – partly due to a chronic lack of air traffic controllers.

The one-two punch of train and plane delays has made an impression on some local commuters.

“Is anybody praying for NJ… because I mean, what’s really going on?” a social media commenter wrote Friday morning, also referencing a recent measles exposure case at the airport and the controversial arrest of the city’s mayor at an ICE detention facility.

“Y’all good Jersey?” the commenter questioned.

• See Related: Measles Exposure At New Jersey Airport (Here’s When, Where)
• See Related: NJ Mayor: Videos Show I Didn’t ‘Storm’ ICE Detention Center (WATCH)

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