(The following article by Larry Higgs was posted on the Asbury Park Press website on December 7.)
ASBURY PARK, N.J. — NJ Transit conductors and assistant conductors overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract on Monday, sending both sides back to the negotiating table.
Workers represented by United Transportation Union Local 60 rejected the contract by a vote of 814 to 22, according to the union’s Web site.
“We were advised on Monday that the UTU membership didn’t ratify the proposed agreement,” said Penny Bassett Hackett, NJ Transit spokeswoman. “Negotiations will resume.”
The last contract lapsed on June 30, 2004, she said.
UTU Local 60, based in Summit, represents 1,100 NJ Transit employees.
Union representatives could not be reached for comment.
The last strike against NJ Transit was a 30-day walkout in 1983 by conductors and assistant conductors.