Leaders of the transit police union decided Wednesday to put their plans for a strike against SEPTA on hold until Dec. 13 at which point the members will decide whether to strike after a formal analysis of the transit agency’s latest contract offer.
The union represents about 170 officers who protect SEPTA stations and its buses, trolleys and subways. They have been working without a contract since March 31.
The union says the latest proposal fell short of the agency’s promises that patrol officers would be offered parity with the agreement ratified earlier this month with SEPTA’s largest union, Transport Workers Union Local 234, which represents bus, trolley, and transit train operators, mechanics and others.
The one-year TWU contract includes a 13% raise paid in two installments, plus a $3,000 signing bonus and some pension adjustments.
“After discussions this morning with the 11 members of the FOTP board, we’ve decided to hit pause on a strike for now,” said Omari Bervine, a SEPTA patrol officer who is president of the Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge 109.
The union would strike immediately if a majority of members vote in December to reject the offer SEPTA has put on the table, he said, adding that if they approve it, leaders would sign a contract based on those terms. Union members already voted last month to authorize a walkout at any point.
