It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Deal Castle gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Deal, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
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“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Harry Franco Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Teva Restaurant or visit Walmer Castle and Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Deal, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Deal, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Deal, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A deadline to make a deal is 12:01 a.m. Friday.Some 350,000 New Jersey commuters could soon find themselves scrambling for other ways to get to work if contract disagreements between New Jersey Transit and its engineers' union aren't resolved, according to transit officials.A deadline to make a deal is 12:01 a.m. Friday.The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has threatened to strike as ...
A deadline to make a deal is 12:01 a.m. Friday.
Some 350,000 New Jersey commuters could soon find themselves scrambling for other ways to get to work if contract disagreements between New Jersey Transit and its engineers' union aren't resolved, according to transit officials.
A deadline to make a deal is 12:01 a.m. Friday.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has threatened to strike as early as Friday, May 16, unless NJ Transit and the union are able to agree on new contract terms and conditions for the workers who drive the trains. If no deal is reached, all New Jersey Transit commuter trains - and the MTA Metro-North West of Hudson service - will stop running.
"We have sought nothing more than equal pay for equal work, only to be continuously rebuffed by New Jersey Transit," BLET General Chairman Tom Haas said during a press conference on May 9. "New Jersey Transit engineers want to keep the trains moving but the simple fact is that trains do not run without engineers."
RELATED: NJ Transit, largest union reach tentative contract deal as engineers' strike looms
NJ Transit has already canceled train and bus service to MetLife Stadium for the Shakira concerts on Thursday and Friday due to the possibility of a strike.
BLET National President Mark Wallace said during the press conference that it's been five years since train engineers working for NJ Transit have received a pay increase. He also said many engineers might seek work at Amtrak or the Long Island Railroad if their contract requirements are not met.
"Reasonable people would vote for an agreement that is fair," Wallace said.
Haas said during the news conference that engineers working for NJ Transit earn an average salary of $113,000 a year. If New Jersey Transit CEO Kris Kolluri agrees to an average salary of $170,000 a year for engineer operators, then "we got a deal," Haas said.
"NJ TRANSIT locomotive engineers already have average total earnings of $135,000 annually, with the highest earners exceeding $200,000," according to a statement on the New Jersey Transit website regarding negotiations with the BLET.
During a separate press conference the same day, Kolluri responded to the union's arguments, saying Haas previously agreed to a wage increase to $49.82 an hour but then later demanded even higher wages because he thought there was "a better pot at the end of the rainbow."
"I cannot keep giving money left and right to solve a problem. It all comes down to, who is going to pay for this? Money does not grow on trees," Kolluri said.
ABC News requests sent to NJ Transit and the BLET for comment regarding Wallace, Haas and Kolluri's statements concering pay increase claims did not receive a response.
New Jersey Transit and BLET representatives met Monday with the National Mediation Board in Washington, D.C. to continue negotiations.
"We want to thank the National Mediation Board (NMB) for convening today's meeting," NJ Transit said in a statement on their website following the meeting. "We found the discussion to be constructive and look forward to continuing negotiations in good faith. To respect the collective bargaining process, we will not be sharing any additional details publicly at this time."
There was no public BLET statement following the National Mediation Board meeting, nor did BLET immediately respond to an ABC News request for comment.
NJ Transit states that if they were to accept BLET's terms, it would cost both them and New Jersey taxpayers $1.363 billion between July 2025 and June 2030. Additionally, if BLET chooses to strike, the taxpayer cost of providing a limited alternative service via buses would be $4 million per day, NJ Transit claims.
NJ Transit commuters were already hit with a 15% fare increase on July 1, 2024, with an additional systemwide 3% fare increase scheduled to go into effect July 1 of this year and every subsequent year. NJ Transit said that the increase was necessary in order to cover a budget deficit caused in part by a pandemic-era decrease in ridership, as well as other increased costs, including inflation.
William Dwyer is a negotiation expert from Rutgers University. He's been following the negotiations and says it's gotten personal between the two sides at times. However, despite the parties being far apart, he still thinks they will come to an agreement.
"I'm optimistic because they're working with a mediator, and very often mediators use their talents and skills to bring reality into the picture and get the parties to think about common interests, and I think certainly keeping the trains running is a common interest," said Dwyer.
Should the strike commence on May 16, NJ Transit said it "strongly encourages all those who can work from home to do so and limit traveling on the NJ Transit system to essential purposes only."
NJ Transit officials also said that they've developed a contingency plan that includes adding "very limited capacity to existing New York commuter bus routes in close proximity to rail stations and contracting with private carriers to operate bus service" for commuters that typically rely on the trains.
Even with the expanded bus service, however, NJ Transit said that it "estimates that it can only carry approximately 20% of current rail customers" because the bus system doesn't have the capacity to replace commuter rail service.
Xuan Sharon Di, associate professor of civil engineering and engineering mechanics at Columbia University, told ABC News the potential NJ Transit strike would be a "disaster" for the traffic in Manhattan due to the increased bus and car traffic into the city from commuters unable to take the train. There also will be the added penalty of commuters into Manhattan having to pay recently enacted congestion pricing.
"New Jersey Transit is the backbone for people who live in New Jersey to move around. This is actually shocking to me," Di told ABC News of the prospect of a strike.
Steven Chien, civil and environmental engineering professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, said many of his colleagues use NJ Transit to commute and that a strike will "paralyze vital transportation arteries in our regions."
Copyright © 2025 ABC News Internet Ventures.
This is it!If you needed another excuse to grab your favorite Starbucks drink this week.I love waking up in the morning, getting ready, and treating myself to my morning coffee.My go-to order right now is a blonde vanilla latte with almond milk, and then I top it off with Strawberry Cold Foam.Read More: New Jersey Homeowners: This Is How Most Burgla...
This is it!
If you needed another excuse to grab your favorite Starbucks drink this week.
I love waking up in the morning, getting ready, and treating myself to my morning coffee.
My go-to order right now is a blonde vanilla latte with almond milk, and then I top it off with Strawberry Cold Foam.Read More: New Jersey Homeowners: This Is How Most Burglars Are Breaking In
It tastes like one of those Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bars that you would get on a hot summer day from an ice cream truck. It’s seriously one of the best coffees I’ve tried at Starbucks.
The best part is, you can try that drink out for yourself for cheaper than normal for the rest of this week.
Right now, Starbucks is offering a sweet little freebie that’s perfect for anyone who loves to put a little extra something on top of their coffee.
If you needed another excuse to grab your favorite Starbucks drink this week, this is it.
Right now, Starbucks is offering a sweet little freebie. That’s perfect for anyone who loves to put a little extra something on top of their coffee.
Now through May 11, Starbucks rewards members can enjoy free cold foam on any drink they order now until May 11.
Normally, if you were to add cold foam to a drink, it’s a little over $1 extra, which doesn’t seem like much, but is a lot! When you’re paying $6 for a drink and then adding another $1 for cold foam, it can almost feel like it’s not worth it.
Now, you can enjoy your favorite drinks without the stress. You can get it at any New Jersey Starbucks over the next few days, so what are you waiting for? Free cold foam for everyone!
I hope you never even considered eating these animals, but if you have, you can't.
The warm weather is officially here and it's time to bring your pets down to the Jersey Shore!
...
Stanley is saying a “big thank you” to nurses this week with the best deal it has ever offered on its drinkware — and it’s a big one.
For National Nurses Week, Stanley is offering nurses, hospital employees, medical providers and first responders a 40% discount on select drinkware through May 12.
Stanley Quencher Tumbler 30 oz
Price: $21, instead of $35 (includes 40% discount for nurses, hospital employees, medical providers and first responders for National Nurses Week)
To get the limited-time deal, you’ll need to verify your medical status with ID.me and log into your Stanley account. Here, a one-time verification code will be applied to your purchase at checkout.
While Stanley has bumped this discount to a giant 40% off just for National Nurses Week, it also offers a special discount all year round to healthcare professionals. This offer also applies to students, teachers and military personnel who verify with ID.me.
For this deal, you can pick from a variety of Stanley drinkware to use your discount on, including several of its famous Quencher Tumblers in fun colors like Almond Rose, Black Chroma, Dhalia Shimmer, Punch Shimmer and more.
Plus, Stanley is offering free shipping on online orders over $75.
Here’s a roundup of some of the Stanley drinkware you can snag for a 40% discount during National Nurses Week.
Shop for even more Stanley drinkware and gear here.
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Dawn Magyar can be reached at [email protected]. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/.
While a potential strike with locomotive engineers could take place in less than a week, NJ Transit reached a tentative agreement with its largest union, representing 5,500 bus drivers and mechanics.The Amalgamated Transit Union and NJ Transit issued a joint statement Wednesday announcing the tentative pact.“Contract terms are within the established pattern and refl...
While a potential strike with locomotive engineers could take place in less than a week, NJ Transit reached a tentative agreement with its largest union, representing 5,500 bus drivers and mechanics.
The Amalgamated Transit Union and NJ Transit issued a joint statement Wednesday announcing the tentative pact.
“Contract terms are within the established pattern and reflect our mutual and ongoing commitment to fairness, efficiency, affordability, and financial sustainability for the hundreds of thousands of customers who depend on NJ Transit bus service every day,” the statement read.
Roughly two-thirds of NJ Transit’s passengers ride intercity and local buses.
Specific details of the agreement were not revealed “pending ATU leadership’s notification of its members,” according to the statement.
If ratified by union members, it would replace the current contract that expired in 2024, but remained in effect.
That pact provided a total across the board wage increase of 9% over two years. That breaks down to a 2% increase on July 3, 2021; 2% on Jan. 1, 2022; 2.5% on July 2, 2022; and, 2.5% on July 1, 2023, according to the contract.
“Together, we have achieved a contract that delivers much-needed improvements, ensuring that our transit professionals are recognized and rewarded for their hard work and commitment to serving the public,” said Ray Greaves, ATU International vice president . “As we move forward, we are optimistic that this agreement will pave the way for a stronger future for our members and the communities they serve.”
The tentative contract which covers from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028, now goes to union members to ratify. A date for that vote hasn’t been set.
“I appreciate the professionalism and reasonableness of the ATU leadership throughout this process,” said Kris Kolluri, NJ Transit president and CEO. “This tentative agreement reflects a shared commitment to our more than 5,500 dedicated employees represented by the ATU, our valued riders, and New Jersey taxpayers — and I’m grateful for the collaborative spirit that made it possible.”
In August 2021, over 90% of union members who cast a ballot voted yes to accept the agreement.
The tentative contract continues the trend of “pattern bargaining” that the agency has used to reach agreements with 14 rail unions, a spokesperson said.
The only rail union that rejected pattern bargaining is the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, which is nearing the end of a 30-day cooling off period. A rail strike or lock-out could happen as early as 12:01 a.m. on May 16.
Members of the BLE&T union rejected a tentative contract that was announced in March and was not ratified by members in April.
Salaries are the major point of disagreement as NJ Transit officials rejected a union counter offer on May 5. Both sides have traded barbs about the levels of salary demands, but said they remain open to talks.
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Larry Higgs may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry
National Nurses Week 2025 is May 6-12.The origins of National Nurses Week began in the early 1950s, when a week in October honored nurses around the same time of the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea, ...
National Nurses Week 2025 is May 6-12.
The origins of National Nurses Week began in the early 1950s, when a week in October honored nurses around the same time of the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea, according to the American Nurses Association.
Eventually in 1974, a proclamation from the Nixon White House designated a week dedicated to nurses known as National Nurses Week.
Fast forward to the present, and you’ll find that many businesses use the celebration to honor nurses for their hard work caring for patients by offering freebies and deals.
Most places usually require nurses to show a valid ID to participate, so it is best to check with your local store for National Nurses Week promotions.
Here is what you need to know about the restaurants and eateries offering freebies and deals all week.
Applebee’s: Nurses get a free appetizer up to $12 with any entrée purchase when they show their work ID. The deal is valid at participating locations through May 10.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Nurses get 20% off orders during National Nurses Week. This deal is available for dine-in and takeout orders when nurses show their work ID.
Chipotle: Chipotle is celebrating the healthcare community by giving away more than $1 million in free Chipotle to 100,000 healthcare workers. Healthcare workers can sign up here for a chance to win a free burrito e-card.
Dunkin: Get a free medium hot or iced coffee on May 6.
Insomnia Cookies: Nurses can get a free Classic cookie from May 6-12 when they shop in-store. No purchase is necessary for this deal, but nurses must show valid ID.
Outback Steakhouse: Nurses can get 10% off their checks year-round with the Heroes Discount.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop: From May 5 through May 11, nurses can get a free cookie or regular-sized soft drink when they buy an entrée. You must show ID to redeem the free cookie or drink.
Tim Horton’s: If you’re a Tim Horton’s rewards member, you can buy one donut and get one free or buy 12 donuts and get six free.
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