PHILADELPHIA – Members of Local 1594, which represents more than 230 bus and trolley operators on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's (SEPTA) Red Arrow Division, ratified on Dec. 13 a new agreement that provides for increased wages, benefits and a signing bonus.

Additionally, on Dec. 11, Local 1594 members elected Waverly Harris their general chairperson. He is a 16-year SEPTA employee and is qualified to operate buses, trolleys and rail cars.

Also elected to Local 1594 posts were James Shedrick as vice president, Eric Goodwin as secretary, Harold Jones as alternate delegate, and Dana Cherry as alternate legislative representative. 

A runoff election will be conducted for the posts of vice chairperson, delegate and legislative representative.

The UTU Local 1594 negotiating team, for the new contract, included Harris, Brian Caldwell and Kevin Baldwin.

They were assisted by Calvin Studivant, UTU alternate International Bus Department vice president; Billy Moye, International representative; and Don Dunlevy, Pennsylvania state legislative director.