SEPTA, workers union reach tentative agreement on new contract: 'It's a really good deal'

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTA and the union representing its workers have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor deal to avoid a possible strike that would bring the nation's sixth-largest transportation network to a grinding halt. 

The two sides announced a tentative agreement on a 1-year deal Friday during a press conference with SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards and Transportation Workers Union (TWU) boss Brian Pollitt. 

"I think it's a really good deal, I fell very good about what's been discussed," said Pollitt, who mentioned that the new contract covers increases to wages and some benefits, as well as adjustments to work roles. 

The agreement comes days after SEPTA and Transportation Workers Union representatives moved into a Center City hotel for round-the-clock negotiations ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline. TWU is the largest SEPTA union that represents 5,000 members including drivers, operators and mechanics.

Among wage increases and tweaks to employee benefits, workers argued for expanded safety measures throughout the transportation network. SEPTA has been hit with a spike in crime since the COVID-19 pandemic, and a veteran SEPTA bus driver was recently shot to death by a passenger. 

"If anything was learned over the last day and a half, it's that we want to work together closer than ever to make sure that everybody is safe," Richards told reporters.

Many details included in the new agreement have not been disclosed, and some minor parts are still being discussed, but representatives remain confident their boards will sign off on the deal. 

"Strike preparations can stop, schools don't have to worry about kids getting to school next week, everyone can get to their sports games as planned," Richards said. "We know who important SEPTA is to this region to getting everybody around, and we just wanted to let everyone know that SEPTA will continue to provide service."

In an email announcing the tentative agreement, SEPTA said the focus during negotiations was to "find a way to recognize employees' hard word and ensure that SEPTA is in the best possible position to build ridership and address the looming fiscal cliff when federal COVID relief funds run out next year." 

SEPTA argued during negotiations that it's facing a $240M drop in operating funds in April when its COVID relief money runs out. The so-called "fiscal cliff" is believed to be why the tentative agreement reached Friday is a short-term deal.