TWU International, Local 234, Team Up for Victory in Philadelphia
Local 234, which has a strong history of fighting back against SEPTA management, teamed up with TWU International to secure a new contract after coming within hours of striking. The might and full force of the International was behind Local 234 throughout the final stages of negotiations. The new deal was overwhelmingly ratified by Local 234 members in December, and the contract includes significant pension and benefit improvements, along with a pay raise.
“Local 234’s contract fight and victory in Philadelphia is the quintessential example of ‘When we fightback, we win,’” TWU International President John Samuelsen said. “When Local 234 reached out and told us that SEPTA management was demanding an unacceptable, devastatingly problematic contract settlement, the TWU machine geared up and sprang into action. Together with Local 234 we defeated SEPTA and won a major victory. The TWU International will always stand with our locals to strategically fightback to win contracts that better the lives of our members and their families.”
After a one-year contract expired in November, Local 234 members authorized a potential strike. After weeks went by with little progress, Samuelsen and Local 234 President Will Vera announced to the Philadelphia media that a strike was “imminent” in early December. The announcement, and a show of force from the International that included Administrative Vice President Curtis Tate calling all Transit Division Local Presidents and staff to Philadelphia to assist with a strike, prompted SEPTA to return to the table for a weekend negotiating session that yielded a new two-year agreement.
“I am very pleased that we were able settle without a strike,” Vera said. “I want to thank TWU International for working so closely with Local 234 and bringing their muscle to the table. The improvements in this contract will keep TWU members with Local 234 for the long term and make SEPTA an attractive place to work.”
The new contract in Philadelphia provides two 3.5 percent wage increases each year, an increase in pension benefits, an increase in night pay differential which had not been changed since 1995, improvements for benefits for new hires, particularly vision and dental benefits kicking in after 90 days of employment instead of 15 months, and an increase in the tool and clothing allowance. Local 234 members overwhelmingly ratified the contract on December 17.
Vera said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his staff played a critical role in getting SEPTA to sit down and negotiate with the local seriously. Local 234 has also fought for more transit funding in the Pennsylvania Legislature over the last year.
“I’m proud that Local 234 was able to get a new two-year agreement in place that offers wage increases and significant improvements in benefits,” Tate said. “What happened in Philadelphia is a shining example of how the TWU International can work together with locals to wage successful fightback campaigns.”
