Today – Thursday, November 16, 2023 – SEPTA’s Board approved the new contracts between SEPTA and TWU Local 234 – covering employees in the City, Suburban, and Frontier Transit Divisions.
These contract agreements were reached following around-the-clock negotiations last month and there were no service disruptions to customers.
“I want to thank the SEPTA negotiating team and TWU leadership for engaging in good-faith discussions and reaching this agreement that averted a service interruption for our customers,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr. Negotiations were focused on finding a way to recognize employees’ hard work and ensure that SEPTA is in the best possible position to build ridership as the recovery continues.
Union members voted last week to ratify the one-year agreement which includes a signing bonus, salary increases, and maintains health and pension benefits.
It also includes changes to the wage progression rate that will allow SEPTA to offer higher starting salaries which will bolster efforts to attract and retain new employees.
“These contracts are fair for all involved,” said SEPTA General Manager/CEO Leslie S. Richards. “This one-year agreement also provides important stability as we approach an uncertain future with the fiscal cliff looming in the spring.”
The contracts will expire in November 2024.
TWU Local 234 represents about 5,000 transit-vehicle operators, mechanics, maintenance workers, cashiers, and custodians.