Pres. Obama Creates 2nd Panel To Try And Resolve Local Rail Dispute
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Barack Obama is establishing a second emergency board to try to resolve a contract dispute between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the union representing train engineers.
The first emergency board was appointed in mid-June. That action ended a brief walkout that shut down 13 rail lines that carry about 60,000 passengers each weekday between Philadelphia and cities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
The board's recommendations led to an agreement with the electricians union, but not the engineers.
The new three-member panel will be officially established Monday.
Within 30 days, SEPTA and the union will submit their final offers for settling the dispute. The board issues its findings within 30 days after that.
The two sides then get 60 days to negotiate further. Workers can't strike until February.
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