PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An overwhelming majority of members of Transport Workers Union Local 234, SEPTA’s largest union, voted Wednesday night to ratify its new contract with the transit agency.
SEPTA and TWU agreed to the new two-year contract on Dec. 8. In doing so, they narrowly side-stepped a strike. Negotiations were nearly derailed completely, so Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office stepped in to help mediate discussions. The two sides ultimately agreed to a deal that includes 3.5% raises each of the next two years.
On Wednesday, 96% of the nearly 1,900 members who voted were in favor of the contract. The 5,000 members of the union, made up of bus, subway and trolley operators, had worked without a contract for about a month before the new agreement was reached.
The contract also includes increased pension benefits and rule changes to make accessing dental and vision benefits easier.
The SEPTA Board will vote on the contract at its monthly meeting on Thursday.