No accord for NJ Transit, rail union as strike date looms

New Jersey Transit rail workers are prepared to strike if the agency doesn’t improve on an offer union officials said would increase health premiums by hundreds of dollars per month.

At NJ Transit’s board meeting Wednesday, the head of the union that represents conductors said more than a dozen unions affected by the contract negotiations have authorized a strike if necessary.

The deadline for a possible walkout is March 13. NJ Transit’s last strike was in 1983.

The conductors union head says health insurance increases in NJ Transit’s offer would almost totally negate a proposed wage increase.

Dennis Martin, interim NJ Transit executive director, didn’t comment on specific proposals. He said the parties have a meeting scheduled but didn’t give a date. The parties last met last week.