Members of the Transport Workers Union Local 234, representing approximately 5,000 employees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), voted on March 31, 2024, to authorize a strike as negotiations for a new contract progress. This decision comes after years of one-year agreements, with the union now seeking a two-year contract that includes wage increases and revisions to work rules.
Union president Will Vera, elected in October 2023, expressed pride in the solidarity of his members. He emphasized that while a strike is not imminent, the unanimous vote strengthens the union’s bargaining position. “I believe in my members, and they believe in me,” Vera stated to reporters. Early discussions between the union and SEPTA have been cordial, but, as he noted, “we all know things can change at any moment.”
The union’s demands include a two-year deal with pay raises and alterations to working conditions that they deem excessively restrictive. One notable issue is the agency’s reliance on a third-party system that complicates employees’ access to their sick leave. Vera highlighted the need to address outdated contract provisions, many of which have been in place since the mid-20th century.
In response to the strike authorization, SEPTA acknowledged the union’s vote and reiterated its commitment to “good-faith negotiations” aimed at reaching a fair agreement. The agency is currently navigating challenges related to funding, particularly as the Pennsylvania state budget recently concluded without additional operating funds for transit agencies.
In light of the current budget situation, SEPTA has been authorized to reallocate up to $394 million in state funds originally earmarked for capital projects towards daily operational expenses for the next two years. This diversion raises concerns among union members about the agency’s financial priorities.
Union leadership has made it clear that if SEPTA does not meet their demands, a strike could disrupt services throughout Philadelphia. John Samuelsen, the international president of the Transport Workers Union, warned, “If SEPTA doesn’t put money on the table, we’re going to shut Philly down.” He pledged that union members from New York City would join Local 234 on the picket lines should a strike occur.
Members like Lyle Smith, a body mechanic with nearly two decades of service, voiced frustrations over working conditions and emphasized the need for change. “We’re sick and tired of coming to work under poor work-rule conditions,” Smith said, underlining the urgency for the union’s demands to be met.
As negotiations continue, the outcome remains uncertain. Union representatives are hopeful that the pressure from the strike authorization will prompt SEPTA to offer a more favorable agreement that addresses both wage increases and necessary changes to work rules. The situation remains fluid, with both sides aware that timely resolutions are essential to prevent disruptions in public transit services.
