The following is a joint statement issued by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) System Council No. 7 regarding the recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 246 in the unions’ contract dispute with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Combined, the two unions represent more than 400 SEPTA employees.
CLEVELAND, July 18 — “We are disappointed with the recommendations of the PEB, particularly because the Board, instead of directly addressing the economic analysis of the employees, simply side-stepped the core issue of this labor dispute. As we have been for the past five years, we are willing and prepared to meet with SEPTA to discuss a settlement that treats our members fairly and consistent with how they have treated their other 6,000 employees. The BLET and IBEW remain committed to achieving that outcome and hope that, in light of the Board’s recommendations, SEPTA is too.”