WHEREAS, Contract negotiations between SEPTA and TWU Local 234, the union which represents over 5,000 SEPTAworkers including operators, drivers, mechanics, and cashiers, have been ongoing since July 13th, 2016. These talks appear to have reached an impasse as the deadline approaches to arrive at a new labor agreement, and TWU 234 workers have voted to approve a strike, effective October 31st, if a new deal is not in place; and
WHEREAS, TWU 234 is seeking fundamental pension reforms in order to ensure the long-term solvency of their retirement plan and allow for its members to retire with dignity. A financially-secure retirement is not a privilege only for the wealthy, and TWU 234 workers have earned that right; and
WHEREAS, SEPTA’s most recent ‘Revenue and Ridership Report,’ covering July and August of 2016, estimated that the transit system services 711,000 riders per day. An average of 550,000 trips are taken each day within the City of Philadelphia alone, while the Regional Rail systems serve an additional 160,000 daily riders and ensure that the City is connected to the broader metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, A 2013 report by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia found that SEPTA contributed $3 billion to the Philadelphia area annually, with an additional $200 million going to the Commonwealth as a whole. The City of Philadelphia is an economic engine for the entire region, and transit service plays a crucial role in our success; and
WHEREAS, Ensuring continuity of service on SEPTA’s network is essential for the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of Philadelphia residents and for the economic vitality of the Greater-Philadelphia region and of the Commonwealth as a whole. However, any labor agreement reached between SEPTA and TWU Local 234 must protect the rights and livelihoods of SEPTA’s labor force; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby Calls on the Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) and Transit Workers Union Local 234 (TWU) to reach a long-term labor agreement in order to avert a strike and ensure continuity of transit service for the well-being of the Citizens of Philadelphia.
End