Philadelphia transit strike ends; tentative agreement reached
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A pedestrian outside a locked rail station in west Philadelphia Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. (The Associated Press)
Philadelphia transit strike ended Monday as the Transport Workers Union and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reached a contract agreement.
SEPTA and TWU Local 234 announced a tentative five year contract, ending the strike and phasing back in workers. Full service is expected to be restored on Tuesday morning.
SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale Deon said the contract is a fair deal that provides "wage increases, pension improvements, and maintains health care coverage levels while addressing rising costs."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The deal is still subject to ratification by union members and must be approved by the SEPTA board.
The union, which represents nearly 4,700 workers, went on strike last week after a contract agreement with was unable to be reached over issues including pension benefits and the amount of time off given to drivers between shifts.
Transportation services, such as buses, trolleys and subways were shut down due to the strike.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The result has been traffic gridlock at morning and evening rush hours; jammed and delayed regional rail service and higher absenteeism at the city's high schools.
City officials worried that if the transportation that offers nearly 900,000 rides per day, was still down on Tuesday it could affect people getting to the polls.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.