The union representing NJ Transit engineers members have authorized a strike for Friday at 12:01 a.m. if no agreement has been reached.

A 37-year-old NJ Transit executive has been charged after authorities say he stole $700,000 worth of phones from the agency and then sold them for profit.

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.

Beyonce fans might be better off riding a horse to next week’s “Cowboy Carter” concerts at MetLife Stadium if a strike shuts down NJ Transit rail service. NJ Transit’s train engineers could walk off the job as soon as Friday after Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers members voted to reject a tentative agreement between the leaders of the agency and the union.

Both NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers were in Washington, D.C. on Monday to continue negotiations with the help of the National Mediation Board. If they can’t come to terms, a a strike will begin May 16. Commuters may be stuck figuring out a plan to get around New Jersey or into New York City.

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,