New Jersey Transit officials want to know if rail engineers are on the up-and-up when it comes to entering payroll and taking time off from the job.
In order to investigate this, NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri will be using an integrity monitor to review recent submissions.
The integrity monitor is looking into the actions of all 418 engineers, including union leaders with the Fraternal Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
This decision came about after NJ Transit officials learned that unauthorized absences were up 70% in July compared to the year prior and that time off was up 20% in August when compared with the same month in 2024.
Kolluri has asked for a review of payroll processes, administrative policies and work rules.
“Those few who have decided that they’re going to game the system, well, I’m going to say those days are numbered and I’ll do everything in my power to stop it,” Kolluri said.
The monitor is expected to report findings in five weeks.
The Fraternal Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers says that all time off and payroll submissions were approved and legitimate.