Late Saturday night, SEPTA officials and the two unions were notified a Presidential Emergency Board (P.E.D.) was formally created forcing an end to the strike by regional rail workers.
President Obama in a statement released last night said, “I appreciate that these dedicated individuals have agreed to devote their talent and years of experience working on labor-management disputes to help reach a swift and smooth resolution of this issue.”
Advertisements
According to a White House release, the Presidential Emergency Board will provide a structure for the two sides to resolve their disagreements. The P.E.B. will hear evidence and, within 30 days, deliver a report to the President with recommendations for the dispute to resolved.
SEPTA officials said as a result of Governor Tom Corbett’s request for federal intervention between the transportation agency and its employees, workers will have to return to work on Sunday.
“As long as these workers show up for their regularly scheduledSunday shifts, Regional Rail service will restored to full Sunday operations in the morning, starting with the first scheduled service trains runs on all of our 13 commuter rail lines,” said, Jerria Williams, SEPTA Director of Media Relations.
Advertisements
President Obama also announced the three members of he intends to appoint to the emergency board as part of the executive order he signed Saturday night.
They are:
Advertisements
. Richard R. Kasher – Chair, Presidential Emergency Board No. 246
· Ann S. Kenis, Presidential Emergency Board No. 246
· Bonnie S. Weinstock, Presidential Emergency Board No. 246
Advertisements
Click for board member biographies
Corbett in a statement to press Saturday said “The people of Philadelphia and the surrounding region expect and deserve a safe and efficient rail system to get them to work, medical appointments, school, and recreation. I call on both parties to work together, find common ground and place the riders at the forefront of mind in their discussions,” Corbett said.
Advertisements
The dispute between SEPTA and the two unions has been ongoing since the collective bargaining contract between the agency and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) expired.
SEPTA on June 9th announced it intention to implement wage increases for the two unions. effective Sunday, June 15.
Advertisements
According to the release wages for Electrical Workers, whose contract expired in 2009, would be increased immediately by approximately $3.00 per hour on average. The top wage rate for Locomotive Engineers, whose contract expired in 2010, would increase by $2.64 per hour. The wage increases, SEPTA officials said, reflect the same percentage increases that were contained in the 2009 contract between SEPTA and the Transport Workers Union, which sets the pattern for all of SEPTA’s unionized workers.
The impetus for the federal mediation stems from the creation of the 1926 Rail Way Labor Act which sought to bring railway workers and its employers to the bargaining table and back to work so the lack of transportation services would not disrupt the daily lives of the public.
Advertisements
Early Sunday morning, SEPTA said all of the striking workers returned to their jobs with regional rail back and rolling according to schedule.
