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SEPTA, Union Reach Tentative 2-Year Deal, Avoiding A Strike

By Dan Wing

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- SEPTA and its largest union have reached agreement on a tentative two-year deal, avoiding a strike.

SEPTA officials joined leaders from Transport Workers Union Local 234 late Friday night to announce that a deal had finally been reached.

After more than 10 hours of talks, SEPTA Chairman Pat Deon and Union President Willie Brown emerged to announce the tentative two-year deal, which Deon called fair.

"To our union employees, our customers, and the taxpayers. It balances the needs of our valuable workforce, while operating the transit system in the most efficient manner possible," Deon said.

Brown said both sides had to move a little bit in the negotiations, and could only share a few details of the agreement.

"It's two years, with wage increases. That's it. I have to get it to my union members first," Brown said.

Brown expected union members to vote on Friday, November 7th.

The last SEPTA strike on November 3, 2009 lasted six days.

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