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.

With a strike looming as soon as Friday, officials of NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers met with the National Mediation Board on Monday in Washington. No agreement was reached. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri thanked the board for convening the meeting in a statement,

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​.

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.

Beyonce is scheduled to play five dates at the stadium between May 22 and May 29. But NJ Transit spokesperson John Chartier on Tuesday did not know if the 50,000 people who can fit into the venue for a concert will be able to take mass transit to the shows. “Meadowlands service for the Beyonce concert remains TBD,” said Chartier.