New Jersey Transit train engineers reach tentative deal to end strike

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- New Jersey Transit's train engineers reached a tentative deal Sunday to end their three-day strike that had halted service for thousands of daily riders.

NJ Transit said regular service will resume Tuesday because of the time it takes "to inspect and prepare the infrastructure before returning to full scheduled service." The union had previously indicated trains would resume on Monday.

The union said in a statement the engineers and the transit agency came to an agreement Sunday. The main sticking point had been how to accomplish a wage increase for the engineers without creating a financially disastrous domino effect for the transit agency.

The walkout that began Friday was the state's first transit strike in over 40 years, forcing people who normally rely on New Jersey Transit to take buses, cars, taxis and boats instead or consider staying home.

A statement from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen sent by email said the terms of the agreement will be sent to the union's 450 members who work as locomotive engineers or trainees at the passenger railroad.

The statement said the deal would be submitted for a ratification vote by the national union and also require a vote of the New Jersey transit board at its next regularly scheduled meeting June 11.