🗞️ SEPTA and TWU Local 234 Reach Deal to Avert Strike
SEPTA and its largest workers union, Transport Workers Union Local 234, reached a tentative two-year contract agreement on December 8, 2025, averting a strike that would have crippled Philadelphia's mass transit system during the holiday season.
After weeks of tense negotiations and warnings of an "imminent" strike, SEPTA and TWU Local 234 announced a tentative contract agreement on Monday, December 8, 2025. The two-year deal includes an across-the-board 3.5 percent wage increase in each year of the agreement, increases in pension benefits, and improved benefits for new employees.
The breakthrough came after Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his senior staff intervened over the weekend, bringing key players together and mediating discussions that had reached an impasse. Union president Will Vera acknowledged the governor's instrumental role, stating that his involvement prevented a strike that could have started Monday morning.
The approximately 5,000 union members had been working without a contract since November 7, 2025, when their previous agreement expired. Union members had authorized leadership to call a strike if no agreement was reached. Major sticking points in negotiations included sick pay policies and pension fund management.
A strike would have shut down approximately 80% of SEPTA's services, including all bus and trolley service, as well as the Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines. This would have severely impacted approximately 51,000 Philadelphia School District students who rely on SEPTA for their commute to school, along with countless teachers, staff, and other daily riders.
The proposed contract must now be ratified by union members in a vote scheduled for later this month, and subsequently approved by SEPTA's board of directors.
Key Points
- Deal Reached: Two-year contract agreement prevents transit strike
- Wage Increases: 3.5% across-the-board wage increase in each year of the contract
- Benefits Enhanced: Increased pension benefits and improvements for new employees
- Governor's Role: Josh Shapiro's weekend intervention broke the negotiation stalemate
- Timeline: Contract expired November 7, 2025; union worked over a month without agreement
- Ratification Required: Union members will vote later in December; SEPTA board must also approve
- Service Impact Avoided: Strike would have shut down 80% of SEPTA services including buses, trolleys, Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines
- Student Impact: Approximately 51,000 Philadelphia School District students rely on SEPTA for transportation
Primary Author 6abc Digital Staff
Primary Source 6abc Philadelphia (WPVI-TV)
Primary Source Link https://6abc.com/post/septa-largest-workers-union-twu-local-234-reach-deal-avoid-strike-philadelphia/18264378/
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