PHILDELPHIA, May 13 — SEPTA’s decision on May 9 to decline the proffer of binding arbitration from the National Mediation Board (NMB) is regrettable. We continue to maintain that binding arbitration is a reasonable and expeditious method of resolving the dispute between the labor unions and SEPTA.
We have been steadfast and patient for over four years while we have negotiated in good faith and would still consider any reasonable offer by SEPTA. The process is now in the hands of the NMB, which must determine when to release the parties from their control and begin a 30-day cooling off period. Because the Railway Labor Act provides that when any party rejects arbitration, the Board shall at once notify all parties that mediation is over, we believe a decision by the NMB to begin the 30-day cooling off period is imminent.
The IBEW and BLET have met with the leadership of TWU Local 234. Local 234 is also confronting SEPTA’s unwillingness to engage in good faith bargaining for new labor agreements covering city and suburban transit workers. We will continue to coordinate our negotiating efforts with Local 234 and other SEPTA transit unions to encourage the Authority to reach fair agreements with everyone. The Unions are united in seeking an amicable resolution to our respective contract negotiations. Our objective remains to reach equitable settlements that address the needs of our members along with our friends and neighbors in the Philadelphia metropolitan area who rely on the SEPTA system.
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Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is a member of the Rail Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The union represents more than 50,000 active and retired members throughout the United States, including 220 hardworking professionals at SEPTA.
System Council No. 7 of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represents approximately 3,300 railroad electrical workers employed on various railroads throughout the United States. Their 220 members at SEPTA perform electrical work on locomotives and rolling stock equipment, the distribution of high voltage electric power, maintenance on bridges, buildings and the railroad’s infrastructure and perform electrical work associated with radio and communications systems.
(BLET Contact: National Vice President Stephen J. Bruno, (267) 679-1768, Bruno@ble-t.org
IBEW Contact: System Council No. 7, IBEW, General Chairman Arthur J. Davidson, (845) 534-8853, AJDavidsonSC7@aol.com)