SEPTA’s transit police union hits pause on strike as negotiations continue

A new deadline has been set for Dec. 13 to decide on a new agreement or go on strike.

A transit security officer works on the platform of the Girard stop

File photo: A transit security officer works on the platform of the Girard stop of the Market-Frankford El train on July 15, 2021. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

This story originally appeared on 6abc.

Contract negotiations are still underway between SEPTA  officials and the Fraternal Order of Transit Police days past the deadline.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 109 (FOTP) announced Wednesday that it is pausing plans for a strike.

“After discussions this morning with the 11 members of the FOTP board, we’ve decided to hit pause on a strike for now,” said FOTP’s president Omari Bervine, who is a SEPTA patrol officer.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

A new deadline has been set for Dec. 13 to decide on a new agreement or go on strike.

The union says 170 police officers who patrol SEPTA’s stations and fleet of buses, subways, trains, and trolleys have been working without a contract since March.

The union and the transit agency both agree there has been some progress and say they are each committed to reaching an agreement to avoid a strike.

The main sticking points are salary and how long the proposed raises will be spread out.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Never miss a moment with the WHYY Listen App!

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