Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Philly Workers at SEPTA Reach Tentative Agreement that Includes Major Pay Raise

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) workers in Philadelphia tentatively agreed to a new one-year contract. More than 5,000 workers are represented by Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234 and include bus, subway and trolley operators, mechanics, cashiers, maintenance people and custodians. The tentative deal would include a 5% pay increase that, coupled with the last deal, increases workers’ wages to 12.5% more than they made as of Dec. 8, 2023. Members who retire during the life of the contract will receive an additional 5% pension increase. Also included in the contract are schedule stability for operators, increased health benefits and safety changes.

Union members will vote on whether to ratify the deal on Dec. 6. Local 234 unanimously authorized a strike that would become unnecessary if members approve the tentative deal.

“We’re going to continue to work in tandem in hopes that we can get transit funding, so we won’t be back at this place next year,” said Local 234 President Brian Pollitt.