SEPTA, Transit Police Reach Tentative Agreement To End Officers' Strike
Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook | Twitter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The strike is over. SEPTA Transit Police returned to the job Tuesday night after nearly a week off.
Both sides reached a tentative deal Tuesday evening, after six days of being on strike.
"Big news. We reached a tentative agreement with the Authority, so we're excited. We're happy," said Troy Parham, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Transit Police.
Nearly 200 SEPTA Transit Police Officers On Strike After Union, Management Fail To Reach Deal
Last Wednesday, all 178 transit officers walked away from their posts and onto the picket line after talks over a union contract with the Transit Authority broke down.
The two major issues were pay and whether officers should be allowed to review body camera footage after each shift.
"They were very reasonable with satisfying that concern of ours," Parham said. "There is some language in there that will allow us to review in certain instances."
Suspect Identified In Deadly Stabbing At Walnut-Locust SEPTA Platform
The transit system had been patrolled by 49 SEPTA police supervisors and officers from the Philadelphia Police Department.
Now, with an agreement reached, SEPTA officers will be back on their regular beats.
"We knew negotiations had been going on for quite some time, so I think most people had been prepared [for going a week without a paycheck]," Parham said. "So I think they're in a good place. I think they're missing work more than anything."
The union contract still must be ratified, which will likely happen later this week or over the weekend.
