Credit: Erich Martin/NewtownPANow.com
Two unions that reperesent thousands of SEPTA workers have reached a tentative one-year contract agreement.
The deals are now off to members of the two unions and, if approved, will avert a strike, officials announced Thursday.
The deal includes a 5 percent wage increase and enhancements to pension plans but maintains current healthcare provisions. It will also include increased safety for works, including testing bulletproof material to protect bus drivers, according to 6abc.
The two unions involved are TWU Local 234, which represents over 4,500 city-based SEPTA workers — including bus, subway, and trolley operators — and SMART Local 1594, which represents 350 employees in the suburbs.
TWU Local 234 President Brian Pollitt said at a Thursday press conference that the need to avoid a strike was important.
“SEPTA’s frontline employees keep the system running every day, and it was important to get a fair contract in place so that we can continue to get students to school and people to work, medical appointments and other services that they need,” said SEPTA Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer. “I would like to thank the negotiating teams on both sides of the table for working around the clock to make it happen.”
“We are pleased to reach an agreement with union leadership on a contract that is fair to our employees and financially responsible for SEPTA,” said SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth Lawrence Jr.
The potential for a strike had loomed large and there was worry it would have disrupted regional transit services.
The contract negotiation comes as SEPTA faces a major budget shortfall that is leading to expected fare hikes and service cuts.
On Thursday, SEPTA approved a 7.5 percent fare hike and plans more along with service cuts.
