PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has reached a tentative 1-year agreement with two unions representing train and bus operators, averting a potential strike.
Transport Workers Union Local 234, which represents workers in Philadelphia, said in a notice to members that workers will receive a 5% raise effective Dec. 8, and a 5% pension increase for those who retire during the life of the contract. hold a ratification vote on Dec. 6. SMART-TD local 1594, which represents suburban operators, said in a press release that the terms also include a pilot program to install bulletproof enclosures for drivers on eight buses, with a commitment to expand that program based on operator feedback.
Both unions had authorized strikes, but Local 234 workers remained on the job past their original Nov. 8 strike deadline as the two sides continued to bargain [see “TWU puts strike against SEPTA on hold ….,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 9, 2024]. Local 1594’s contract had expired Nov. 18.
“This agreement is fair to our hardworking frontline employees and responsible to the customers and taxpayers,” Scott Sauer, SEPTA’s interim general manager said, according to WPVI-TV. Local 234 President Brian Pollitt said the union “got a fair deal, and now we need to focus on making sure SEPTA stays strong for everyone who depends on it.”
Members of Local 234, which represents more than 4,500 workers, will vote on contract ratification on Dec. 6. Details on vote plans by the 350 members of Local 1594 were not immediately available.
It is the second straight year SEPTA and Local 234 have agreed to a one-year contract to avoid a strike. A year ago, the agreement came days ahead of a strike deadline [see “SEPTA, Transport Workers Union avert strike …,” News Wire, Oct. 30, 2024].
