Rail workers in Pennsylvania went on strike earlier today, but it has since been canceled after President Barack Obama intervened at the request of Governor Tom Corbett.
The unions for the 450 rail workers were unable to reach a deal with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority when it came to contracts, CNN reported.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Corbett wanted a Presidential emergency board in order to get both sides to not only go back to negotiating, but for the engineers and electrical workers who were part of the strike to come back to work.
According to The Daily Pennsylvania, Corbett focused on the needs of the people of Pennsylvania, saying “The people of Philadelphia and the surround regions expect and deserve a safe and efficient rail system to get them to work, medical appointments, school, and recreation.” He wanted both parties to keep the commuters in their minds as they worked on their discussions.
Within hours, President Obama granted the request, calling for “a swift and smooth resolution” between SEPTA and the unions, USA Today reported.
While workers do need to go back to work once the emergency board is put into effect, the rail service won’t start back up until Sunday at 6 am.
The emergency board has been given 30 days to put together a report that will detail the best way to dissolve the dispute between parties. The entire process as a whole will last for 240 days and SEPTA employees do need to work during this time.