FOR THE SECOND time in four months, President Obama has
spared Regional Rail riders a big headache.
Obama, at the request of SEPTA, yesterday called for the formation
of a presidential emergency board that will help mediate an ongoing dispute
between the transit authority and one of its labor unions, according to a
statement from the White House.
More importantly, the creation of the board will prevent
the union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, from striking,
effectively shutting down Regional Rail lines.
Under the board, BLET members are required to continue
working for 120 days, during which negotiations will continue.
Jerri Williams, a SEPTA spokesperson, described those
talks as "productive."
"We've narrowed our differences, and we're still
working out the details," she said, noting that a rule requiring train
operators to wear uniforms is the final point of contention.
Obama formed the initial board in June to end a strike
called by BLET and another union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers. It expires tomorrow.
IBEW reached an agreement with SEPTA in August, according
to Williams.
Source: Philly.com
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