NJ Transit and an engineers’ union appear to be steaming ahead to the first major rail strike in decades starting early Friday, even as both sides convene in Washington, D.C., where they pledged to continue negotiations.

In a post Monday on X, NJ Transit wrote: "Due to the potential rail service stoppage, NJ TRANSIT will not be operating train or bus service to MetLife Stadium for the Shakira concerts on May 15th and 16th," and referred patrons to the MetLife website for more information.

New Jersey Transit and its engineers are in Washington Monday to meet with the National Mediation Board​ as part of an effort to reach a contract deal ahead of Friday's potential strike​.

Representatives for NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers are scheduled to meet Monday in Washington, D.C., called there by federal arbitrators to hash out their differences as New Jersey sits on the brink of its first major rail strike in four decades.

NJ Transit reaches a tentative four year contract with its largest union representing thousands of bus drivers and mechanics.