SEPTA and its largest workers union reach deal to avoid a strike in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- SEPTA and its largest workers union have reached a contract agreement, preventing a strike that would have halted Philadelphia's mass transit in the middle of the holiday season.

The two-year deal includes an across-the-board 3.5 percent wage increase in each year of the agreement, an increase in pension benefits, and improvements to benefits for new employees.

TWU Local 234 issued a statement Monday afternoon that said it was the involvement of Gov. Josh Shapiro that broke the stalemate and averted a walkout.

As recently as Friday it appeared a strike was all but inevitable, with union leaders saying a strike was "imminent" at a late afternoon news conference.

The proposed contract will go to union members for ratification. A vote will be scheduled for later this month.

The deal will then have to be approved by SEPTA's board.

The previous contract expired on November 7. Union members had authorized the union's president to call a strike if no agreement was reached.

A strike would have shut down bus and trolley service, and all service on the Market -Frankford and Broad Street lines.