NJ Transit Seeks Repayment from Union Leaders Over Improper Pay Claims

NJ Transit has ordered two top engineers’ union leaders to refund more than $10,000 in salaries, claiming illegal claims during difficult contract discussions. The transportation authority accused the union’s General Chairman and Vice Chairman of submitting timecards for unworked days, especially during negotiation sessions. The agency wants every unearned dollar.

NJ Transit informed the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen that both leaders improperly recorded remuneration for meetings or workdays they were not on duty after reviewing payroll data. The disputed period is the months before a May strike. NJ Transit officials say incorrect compensation filings occurred during high-stakes contract talks. The government warns it will review more timecard records across the workforce to prevent unjustified payments.

NJ Transit urged engineers against unjustified last-minute absenteeism and call-outs in the same communication. The agency said such behavior stressed operations and necessitated the cancellation of 172 scheduled trains last month due to a crew shortage. The letter demands and warns union members that the transit authority will not accept interruptions caused by questionable absence claims during vital negotiations.

All wrongdoing has been denied by the union. A union spokeswoman denied that pay was claimed for unlawful absences and said the leadership behaved properly. The conflict escalates NJ Transit’s labor dispute with locomotive engineers, which has caused service delays and tense bargaining. The transit agency’s plan to grab back funding may escalate negotiations as both sides dig in.

Sources
NorthJersey / Daily Record
Yahoo News article
NJ 101.5 news coverage