NJ Transit investigates union leaders over timesheet irregularities
The letter claims multiple instances where both Haas and Melhorn inappropriately submitted timecards for meetings with Jersey Transit leadership during contract talks.
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New Jersey Transit is investigating two leaders of its train engineer's union over timesheets and payroll irregularities.
It's only been a few months since New Jersey Transit, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Inion came to a deal and wrapped up contentious contract talks.
But, in a letter obtained by News 12, New Jersey Transit says they started an investigation into the payroll timecards for both general chairman of the union, Tom Haas, and vice chairman Don Melhorn for the time between October 2024 and March 2025.
The letter claims multiple instances where both Haas and Melhorn inappropriately submitted timecards for meetings with Jersey Transit leadership during contract talks. It also says more than $10,000 was paid out during that time and New Jersey Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri says they that money back.
"We will claw back every cent that he has gotten, and his colleague may have gotten that are not due because the taxpayers of New Jersey are not gonna get ripped off, especially for somebody who doesn't feel like coming to work that is not the grand bargain that we struck," Kolluri said.
The letter also said unplanned absences from locomotive engineers calling out, spiked 70% this summer, compared to last summer, accounting for more than 40% of all service cancellations.
In a statement a union spokesperson said, "This is completely unfounded. All charges and hours were approved by NJT management and are legitimate."
