UTU members on SEPTA ratify three-year pact
PHILADELPHIA -- Conductors and assistant conductors employed by the rail division of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) have ratified a new three-year agreement with the commuter carrier.

The vote was 156 to 86 to approve the package of wage, rule and benefit improvements.

The new contract was effective upon ratification, Sept. 1, 2000.

Highlights of the pact include a $500 lump-sum payment; a 9% wage hike over three years; increased travel and uniform allowances; improved medical coverage, including a prescription drug benefit, and vacation agreement improvements.

In addition, the UTU and SEPTA made a stand-by agreement stipulating that covered employees shall receive percentage salary increases and/or lump sum payments equal to those received by employees represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Before the ratification vote, held during September, a package of information sent to each eligible UTU-represented SEPTA employee from local union officers recommended ratification.

"The meeting with the National Mediation Board and SEPTA on July 13, 2000, convinced the undersigned officers that we have squeezed everything out of SEPTA there is to get in this round of bargaining," the UTU officials wrote.

"To hold out anymore will only mean that we will be forced, at a much later date, to accept the same package as that which is enclosed," the local officers explained. "Therefore, all of the undersigned officers are voting in favor of ratification, and we recommend you do the same."

The letter was signed by Suozzo, Local 61 Chairperson D.W. Becker, Local 61 President Earl C. Davis, Local 61 Secretary Paul Hutchinson, Local 61 Vice Local Chairpersons Walter Yankowski and Mark Graziano, and Local 61 Treasurer R.J. Gallagher.

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