PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA has reached a tentative contract agreement with SMART Local 1594, averting a strike by its suburban transit operators.
The transit authority announced the deal this afternoon after the two sides met for negotiations.
It's a two-year contract that includes 3.5% raises each year.
SMART Local 1594 represents more than 300 bus, train and trolley operators in Delaware, Montgomery and Chester counties. The 350-member union voted to authorize a strike last month.
The tentative deal comes just three days after SEPTA reached the same labor agreement with Transport Workers Union Local 234, which also threatened to strike.
SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said that in a year that’s seen funding crises and safety red flags diminish service, it was important not to let labor strife make things even worse for riders.
"Fortunately negotiators on both sides kept coming back to the negotiating table to work through any issues that needed to be resolved," he said.
Busch also said securing two-year deals with SEPTA’s unions was important because it means the all-important year of 2026 — when the semiquincentennial shines the spotlight on Philly — won’t feature contact negotiations.
"It gives peace of mind to know that the contract is in place, and we’re going to have all hands on deck for all these great events that are coming up," he said.
If SMART Local 1594 members ratify the contract in time, the SEPTA Board could approve it at their meeting next Thursday.