SEPTA workers strike averted as union and authority reach new contract deal.
SEPTA officials announced on Monday that they have reached a tentative agreement with Transport Workers Union Local 234, averting a potential strike by the authority's largest bargaining unit. The two-year contract includes significant wage increases, improved pension benefits, enhanced health care coverage, and better tools and clothing allowances for workers.
According to union leaders, including TWU Local 234 President Will Vera, the deal provides a much-needed retention package to keep current members on board and attract new employees. Vera credited Governor Josh Shapiro's intervention in getting both sides back to the negotiating table, saying that without the governor's involvement, they would have been on strike Monday morning.
Under the agreement, workers will receive a 3.5% wage increase each year, as well as an increase in differential night pay for the first time since 1995. New employees will now be eligible for vision and dental coverage after just 90 days of employment, rather than the previous 15 months. The contract also includes improvements to managing worker absences to ensure service reliability during light staffing periods.
SEPTA officials praised Shapiro's role in facilitating the deal, calling it "fiscally responsible" for frontline workers. However, another union, SMART Local 1594, still needs to reach a new contract with SEPTA, which represents over 300 bus, train, and trolley operators in surrounding counties.
With this latest agreement, Shapiro's efforts to prevent disruptions at SEPTA continue, following his earlier intervention to expedite the restoration of Regional Rail service. The governor had also secured $220 million from PennDOT's Public Transit Trust Fund for capital projects, including upgrades to the trolley system and escalators at 13 stations.
The deal marks a positive development for SEPTA, which relies on mass transit services used by approximately 790,000 people each weekday. By averting a potential strike, the agreement ensures continued service reliability and avoids any disruption to the community.
SEPTA officials announced on Monday that they have reached a tentative agreement with Transport Workers Union Local 234, averting a potential strike by the authority's largest bargaining unit. The two-year contract includes significant wage increases, improved pension benefits, enhanced health care coverage, and better tools and clothing allowances for workers.
According to union leaders, including TWU Local 234 President Will Vera, the deal provides a much-needed retention package to keep current members on board and attract new employees. Vera credited Governor Josh Shapiro's intervention in getting both sides back to the negotiating table, saying that without the governor's involvement, they would have been on strike Monday morning.
Under the agreement, workers will receive a 3.5% wage increase each year, as well as an increase in differential night pay for the first time since 1995. New employees will now be eligible for vision and dental coverage after just 90 days of employment, rather than the previous 15 months. The contract also includes improvements to managing worker absences to ensure service reliability during light staffing periods.
SEPTA officials praised Shapiro's role in facilitating the deal, calling it "fiscally responsible" for frontline workers. However, another union, SMART Local 1594, still needs to reach a new contract with SEPTA, which represents over 300 bus, train, and trolley operators in surrounding counties.
With this latest agreement, Shapiro's efforts to prevent disruptions at SEPTA continue, following his earlier intervention to expedite the restoration of Regional Rail service. The governor had also secured $220 million from PennDOT's Public Transit Trust Fund for capital projects, including upgrades to the trolley system and escalators at 13 stations.
The deal marks a positive development for SEPTA, which relies on mass transit services used by approximately 790,000 people each weekday. By averting a potential strike, the agreement ensures continued service reliability and avoids any disruption to the community.
omg what a relief! septa workers just got a major pay bump 
and some awesome benefits too 
they deserved it after years of working hard. can't believe gov josh shapiro stepped in to help negotiate this deal 
he's literally saving the day for philly commuters 
now let's keep our fingers crossed for smart local 1594, still gotta get that contract sorted out 
I'm so glad they were able to come to an agreement! As someone who uses public transportation all the time, it's such a relief that there won't be a strike 
. The wage increases are definitely a win for workers - 3.5% is no joke 
. And can we talk about how Governor Shapiro swooped in and saved the day? He's like a superhero for SEPTA workers 
. I know some people might say it was just politics, but to me, it looks like he genuinely cares about finding a solution that works for everyone 
. Now let's keep our fingers crossed that SMART Local 1594 gets its act together too 
I'm still not convinced that this whole thing wasn't just a PR stunt 
. Like, Governor Shapiro comes along at the last minute and suddenly everyone's best buds again? It's suspiciously convenient. And what about SMART Local 1594? They're still left hanging out there, without any deal in sight 
. Maybe this is just a way to keep them quiet while they get on with some shady business behind the scenes 
It's all too suspicious for my taste 
.
no more strike means ppl dont have to stress about their daily commute 
cant believe gov josh shapiro stepped in 
helped get both sides back 2 negotiating table 
and dental care 
after just 90 days of work 
plus they get vision coverage too 
gotta love that retention package 
now we can all focus on more important things than whether or not the bus is running on time 
but seriously, this deal is a win win for everyone involved 
! The governor's intervention was a huge help, no doubt 
. Let's hope SMART Local 1594 gets a deal soon too 
A new contract deal is just what they needed, with those significant wage increases, improved pension benefits, and better health care coverage 
.
.
that's a nice chunk of change for them, and it'll hopefully keep them from leaving or getting poached by other jobs. 
also love how they're prioritizing service reliability during light staffing periods 
but then it drops that they got a new deal 
I mean, 3.5% wage increase is crazy 
Will Vera is literally a hero for getting the governor involved 
Shapiro's been on point with this whole thing 
my daily routine just got a lot easier 
maybe he was holding out for something else, like more funding for the trolley system? i mean thats what got me curious in the first place 
Anyway, back to SEPTA... I guess it's great that they were able to reach an agreement with the union. Those workers deserve better pay and benefits. 3.5% wage increases might not seem like a lot, but trust me, it adds up over time.
can we get more deals like this in other industries?
. I mean, think about it - if they hadn't reached a deal, we'd be talking about canceled trains, delayed buses, and unhappy commuters 
. But now, everyone gets to go back to work and enjoy some much-needed raises 
. No one's gonna win a battle of wills - but if you're willing to listen and compromise, amazing things can happen 
!
.
