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Rail strikers returned to work yesterday after US President Barack Obama intervened in their dispute with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Septa).
The strike started after negotiations between Septa and engineers’ and electricians’ unions to agree a new contract failed on Friday.
More than 400 workers walked out at midnight.
Mr Obama granted Republican Governor Tom Corbett’s request for a presidential emergency board to mediate.
The unions welcomed the intervention. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers president Terry Gallagher said Mr Obama’s intervention was “what we were waiting for.”
“We have been five years without an agreement, trying to get to this point, and we’re happy we’re here now,” Mr Gallagher said.
The unions said the strike had been intended to force Septa to agree or accept binding arbitration.
Workers are seeking raises of 14.5 per cent over five years, about 3 points more than Septa has offered.
