No rail deal, strike draws closer for New Jersey commuters

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Negotiations between rail worker unions and New Jersey Transit concluded without a deal Thursday, as a strike deadline neared that would affect tens of thousands of commuters whose cost of traveling to New York City each day has already soared in recent years.

By mid-afternoon Thursday, NJ Transit's special counsel said he was still optimistic that a deal could be struck before the 12:01 a.m. Sunday deadline but that key issues such as wages and health care remained in play.

For Tom Wright, president of the urban planning think tank Regional Plan Association and also a Princeton commuter, said the fare hikes become less palatable when they're combined with service disruptions.

Union officials didn't comment on what transpired during Thursday's negotiating session, but expressed anger that NJ Transit had sent a notice to union-covered employees Wednesday telling them that in the event of a strike, all employees on sick leave would no longer receive compensation and striking employees would have their health benefits discontinued.