🗞️ SEPTA Contract Negotiations Continue as Strike Threat Looms Over Philadelphia Transit

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) continued critical contract negotiations on Wednesday, December 4, 2025, with two unions representing more than 5,300 transit workers who have been working without contracts for nearly a month. Transport Workers Union Local 234, representing 5,000 subway, trolley, bus operators and mechanics, resumed talks with SEPTA management more than three weeks after voting to authorize a strike. Simultaneously, SEPTA is negotiating with SMART Local 1594, which represents over 300 bus, train, and trolley operators in Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties—a group that authorized its own strike on November 21.

The primary sticking points in negotiations include demands for improved sick pay for workers and disagreement over contract length, with the union pushing for a two-year agreement while SEPTA has offered only one year. TWU International President John Samuelsen issued a stark warning that a strike could "shut Philly down," while SEPTA body mechanic Lyle Smith acknowledged that while workers regret the potential impact on the public, they must prioritize their families' needs.

SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch expressed cautious optimism, noting that ongoing talks scheduled through Friday suggest a strike is not imminent. However, SMART Local 1594 General Chairman Anthony Petty painted a grimmer picture, stating the parties remain "far apart" with no clear timeline for resolution. Workers at both unions have been asking leadership daily about when they might walk out.

The labor dispute occurs against a backdrop of significant operational challenges for SEPTA. The agency faces ongoing funding crises, with its trolley tunnel shut down through the end of the week for repairs and Regional Rail lines experiencing persistent delays due to federally mandated inspections and repairs on Silverliner IV rail cars.

Key Points

• 5,300+ Workers Without Contracts: TWU Local 234 (5,000 workers) and SMART Local 1594 (300+ workers) have been operating without contracts since November 7, 2025

• Strike Authorization in Place: Both unions have voted to authorize strikes, giving leadership the power to call work stoppages, though no deadline has been set

• Core Negotiation Issues: Improved sick pay for workers, Contract duration (unions want 2 years; SEPTA offering 1 year), General wage and benefit improvements

• Potential System-Wide Shutdown: A strike could "shut Philly down" according to TWU International President John Samuelsen, affecting subway, trolley, bus, and regional rail services

• Ongoing Talks: Negotiations resumed Wednesday, December 4, with another session scheduled for Friday, December 6

• SEPTA's Operational Challenges: Trolley tunnel closed through end of week for repairsm Regional Rail delays due to Silverliner IV inspections, Failed deadline for thermal detection system installation, Receiving loaned rail cars from Maryland to supplement fleet

• Funding Context: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced $220 million in short-term capital funding on November 24, but workers and the agency continue to seek recurring operational funding from the state legislature

• Workers' Perspective: According to Lyle Smith, a SEPTA body mechanic: "If it happens, it happens. Sorry for the public, but we gotta do what we gotta do for our families"

• Union Positions: SMART Local 1594 Chairman Anthony Petty: "As of now, we're far apart... time is ticking"; Workers asking union leadership daily: "What's going on? When are we walking?"

Primary Source Authors: Brandon Goldner, Dan Snyder, Alexandra Simon (CBS Philadelphia)

Primary Source: CBS Philadelphia / CBS News

Primary Source Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/septa-union-workers-resume-contract-negotiations/