SEPTA announces accord with striking transit officers

A SEPTA spokesman said officers were expected to begin returning to duty for the 11 p.m. Tuesday shift.

About 30 SEPTA police officers picket outside SEPTA headquarters at 1234 Market Street. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

About 30 SEPTA police officers picket outside SEPTA headquarters at 1234 Market Street. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

The Philadelphia region’s main transit system says a tentative contract agreement has been reached with transit police officers who went out on strike almost a week ago.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority says the accord with the Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge 109 will end the walkout by 178 officers that began Wednesday, March 6.

A SEPTA spokesman said officers were expected to begin returning to duty for the 11 p.m. Tuesday shift. Details of the accord are to be announced after the union can present them to members.

The police union has been seeking a new contract to replace an agreement that expired a year ago. SEPTA operates the nation’s sixth-largest transportation system in terms of ridership, operating buses, subways, trolleys and trains.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal