Posts tagged SEPTA
SEPTA strike averted after workers’ union, transit agency reach new contract
December 10, 2025 // The Philadelphia-based transit authority and TWU Local 234 tentatively agreed to a new contract Monday to stave off what could have been a devastating strike for thousands of riders. TWU Local 234 members have been working without a contract since Nov. 7, and members voted to authorize a strike last month. The union, the largest representing SEPTA employees, serves 5,000 subway, trolley and bus operators and mechanics.
SEPTA and union workers continue contract negotiations as strike threat looms
December 4, 2025 // If a deal can't be met, John Samuelsen, international president of TWU, warned that a strike could "shut Philly down." "We all authorize a strike," SEPTA body mechanic Lyle Smith said last month. "If it happens, it happens. Sorry for the public, but we gotta do what we gotta do for our families."
SEPTA union members vote to authorize strike
November 18, 2025 // SEPTA union members on Sunday voted to authorize a strike as Transport Workers Union Local 234 works to negotiate a new contract. Union leaders say, however, that the authorization vote does not mean that a walkout will start immediately – it's simply being used as leverage in negotiations. The possibility of a walkout adds to the ongoing challenges that the transit authority has faced in recent months. TWU Local 234 represents approximately 5,000 SEPTA employees, including bus, train and trolley operators, mechanics, maintenance staff, cashiers and custodians; its previous contract with the transportation authority expired on Nov. 7.
Layoffs, frustrated public among concerns for union president ahead of SEPTA cuts
August 19, 2025 // "What I'm going to do is send a letter to Chief Bethel and the Chief of Transit Police and ask them, on the 24th, that they man our lines. It's going to be a frustrating time, and I'm worried that the backlash is going to come on my operators - and I'm not going to accept that," he said. Pollitt added that some union members are also concerned about potential layoffs. While workers with more than a year on the job are contractually protected, those with less than a year are not - a group he estimates includes more than 700 employees. However, SEPTA says there are no immediate plans for layoffs. "As we get started, there's no immediate plans for layoffs," said SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch.
SEPTA and unions reach contract agreement, avoiding a strike in the Philadelphia region
November 21, 2024 // SEPTA and the unions representing suburban and city transit workers have come to a tentative 1-year agreement, avoiding a transit strike in the Philadelphia region. Action News has learned Wednesday that the agreement includes a 5% wage increase, as well as a pension increase. However, there were no concessions to healthcare. They also made "significant improvements" in safety, including a pilot program on eight buses for bulletproof enclosures around drivers.
Potential triple strike could ‘shut region down,’ says union boss
November 20, 2024 // Three large unions in greater Philadelphia are all threatening to strike at the same time in a move that could "shut the region down," according to one union president. Unions representing SEPTA operators in both the city and suburbs are currently negotiating new contracts, as is the union representing more than 9,000 municipal workers. All three unions have voted to authorize strikes if talks break down. The presidents of the three unions met for breakfast Tuesday morning in Northern Liberties at Spring Garden Restaurant.
PHILADELPHIA: SEPTA workers unanimously authorize strike
October 29, 2024 // SEPTA workers in the Transport Workers Union Local 234 -- which represents more than 5,300 employees -- announced on Sunday morning that it has authorized a strike, unless they can reach a deal with management by midnight on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. In a statement released around lunchtime on Sunday, union officials said that a "large gathering" of workers met for a special meeting and all in attendance voted to authorize the strike.
Philly workers got organized in 2023. Look back on this year’s strikes, walkouts, and union campaigns.
December 30, 2023 // As worker organizing activity heated up toward the end of 2022, with new unions and strikes grabbing headlines through the fall, labor leaders predicted 2023 would be an even bigger year for employees seizing on their leverage.
SEPTA’s transit police union threatens to strike
December 13, 2023 // SEPTA, like other transit systems nationwide, is facing a fiscal cliff next year as ridership and revenues remain below pre-pandemic levels and federal pandemic dollars run out. The agency expects annual deficits to run at least $240 million starting next year, which will result in service cuts and higher fares without additional funding.
SEPTA, workers union reach tentative agreement on new contract: ‘It’s a really good deal’
October 31, 2023 // In an email announcing the tentative agreement, SEPTA said the focus during negotiations was to "find a way to recognize employees' hard word and ensure that SEPTA is in the best possible position to build ridership and address the looming fiscal cliff when federal COVID relief funds run out next year." SEPTA argued during negotiations that it's facing a $240M drop in operating funds in April when its COVID relief money runs out. The so-called "fiscal cliff" is believed to be why the tentative agreement reached Friday is a short-term deal.