SEPTA has approved new contracts with its workers unions after members voted to ratify each agreement. The SEPTA board approved the contracts between the Transport Workers Union Local 234, SMART-TD Local 1594 and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen unions on Dec. 18. “I want t o thank the SEPTA negotiating team and union leadership for engaging in good-faith discussionsand reaching these agreements that averted a service interruption for our customers,” SEPTA BoardChair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr said in a statement. “These negotiations are never easy, and the uncertainty surrounding SEPTA’s future only added to the level of difficulty.” Transport Workers Union Local 234 agreement On Dec. 17, SEPTA’s largest workers union, Transport Workers Union Local 234, which represents about 5,000 SEPTA employees, voted “yes” to ratify their new contract with the transit agency. This new contract lasts two years and includes wage increases as well as a temporary pension enhancement for TWU members who retire during the term of the contract. The contract also maintains healthcare and other benefits while adding a program designed to improve absence management. Additionally, the deal increases the pay differential for night shifts, which SEPTA says will help them provide adequate staffing while working to improve service. SEPTA 23 hours ago SEPTA's largest workers union votes to ratify new contract Philadelphia Dec 16 Local anti-violence organization to help promote safety on SEPTA trains SEPTA Dec 11 SEPTA reaches tentative deal with SMART union members Thursday SEPTA Nov 27 SEPTA unwraps holiday fun with new pop-up shop and ‘Jingle Rails' experience SEPTA Nov 24 Gov. Shapiro announces $220M in capitol funds for SEPTA safety upgrades SMART-TD Local 1594 agreement A second union, SMART-TD Local 1594, reached an agreement with SEPTA on Dec. 11 which will last for two years, officials said. Their new agreement reportedly includes safety, pay increases, benefits and work rules among other items. Officials with the union say that this agreement also includes a promise that members of SMART will not be replaced by automated vehicles. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen agreement SEPTA’s board also approved a new contract with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen on Dec. 18. BLET is the union that represents the engineers who work with Regional Rail. ...read more read less