NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on contract talks between New Jersey Transit and rail worker unions (all times local):
5 p.m.
Representatives from rail worker unions and New Jersey Transit say talks to avert a strike this weekend are making progress.
They made the comments shortly after negotiations ended for the day on Tuesday in Newark.
More than 4,000 union employees have authorized a strike for 12:01 a.m. Sunday if no agreement is reached.
A union spokesman called Tuesday’s talks “very productive.” NJ Transit’s negotiator said he was “more comfortable” with the progress of the negotiations than he was Monday evening.
The two sides will meet again Thursday morning.
3:20 p.m.
A union official says New Jersey Transit and rail worker unions are closer than they were on Monday to reaching an agreement that would head off a strike this weekend.
Stephen Burkert told reporters Tuesday that talks were progressing without heated words or derogatory statements.
Union workers have been without a contract for nearly five years.
At stake is rail service for approximately 100,000 people who commute into New York each day.
NJ Transit has outlined a contingency plan using expanded bus service and free park-and-ride lots. But officials said it will only accommodate about four in 10 displaced rail riders.
The Partnership for New York City, a business organization, estimates a rail shutdown would cost New York City employers $5.9 million per hour.
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2 p.m.
Talks are continuing between labor unions and New Jersey Transit as they try to avert a railroad strike scheduled for this weekend.
The two sides met Tuesday in Newark, four days before the unions have authorized a system-wide strike. Union workers have been without a contract for nearly five years.
Management and unions met Friday in Washington, again over the weekend and Monday in Newark. At stake is rail service for approximately 100,000 people who commute into New York.
Last week NJ Transit outlined a contingency plan using expanded bus service and free park-and-ride lots. But officials said it will only accommodate about four in 10 displaced rail riders.
The Partnership for New York City, a business organization, estimates a rail shutdown would cost New York City employers $5.9 million per hour.
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