Thousands Of SEPTA Union Workers To Vote Whether To Ratify New Contract
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- About 5,000 SEPTA workers will head to the polls Friday to vote whether or not to ratify the contract union leadership negotiated last week to end a six-day strike.
In a letter to the rank-and-file, Local 234 President Willie Brown told transport workers that this is the best deal they could get. There are guaranteed increases in salary, health care and pension contributions, as well as changes in what he calls important non-economic workplace issues such as breaks and the use of cameras.
In the letter, Brown also addressed a coalition of detractors who say the union didn't get enough from management. He asked them to consider the situation, dealing with a publicly funded agency, saying more money was simply not there for the taking.
Brown says workers will not strike if they reject the agreement, and that he is confident that enough union members support the deal, but is concerned about voter turnout.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the higher wages for SEPTA workers will not increase rider fares.
Voting will take place at about 20 locations and polls are open all day today until 7 p.m.
