(The following report appeared on the Jersey Journal website on January 7.)
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Amtrak could go on strike at the end of the month – which could mean huge crowds on PATH trains.
Since Amtrak owns the tracks heading into New York’s Pennsylvania Station, a strike would effectively shut it down – and force NJ Transit trains to stop in Hoboken. That would put tens of thousands of extra commuters onto Manhattan-bound PATH trains.
The strike also would cripple Long Island Rail Road operations.
Amtrak workers haven’t had a contract since 2000. On Dec. 1, President Bush set up a five-person emergency board to head off a strike; on Thursday, the board recommended Amtrak employees receive $62 million in back wages and that the railroad drop proposed work rule changes. However, the board’s recommendations are non-binding.
A representative for the unions told Newsday on Saturday that “the ball will be in Amtrak’s court.”
“The unions do not want to strike,” said Joel Parker, vice president of the Transportation Communication Union. He added, “The recommendations provide the basis for a settlement.”