The news that SEPTA's transit workers were walking off the job right around the time that the Yankees were walking off the Citizens Bank Park diamond in disgrace was something of a surprise. Ever since the weekend, our elected officials like Mayor Nutter and Governor Rendell have been winking at us that this thing was in the bag. Now, Rendell looks like a bit of a buffoon...oh, wait, he already did, never mind (and this was before the bizarre turtleneck-thingee that he wore on Comcast's Eagles' coverage on Sunday, which made him look like a villain in a "Star Trek" movie, but I digreess...)
Anyway, I hope for the city's sake this thing is resolved soon, but in a positive way for these workers who are a backbone of Philadelphia. There is one thing other that troubles me -- and that's the timing. The TWU agreed on Friday night that it absolutely wouldn't walk out during the World Series, because, well, heaven forbid we interfere with something as sacred as that.
So instead they postponed their job action until...Election Day? I realize this cuts both ways -- Philadelphia school kids, including thousands who depend on SEPTA buses or the subway, are off today, which mimimizes their disruption at least for a day. On the other hand, Philadelphians are chosing the first new district attorney since 1991, with a somewhat competitive, by our standards, race for city controller and a couple of statewide judgeships, including a vacancy on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Turnout was going to be ridiculously low, anyway, but now I wonder how many working parents -- suddenly scrambling to get to their jobs today -- are even less likely to vote. So much attention was focused on not disrupting the World Series, but there wasn't a second thought to disrupting democracy?
Of course, there is another way to mimimize the hassles of voting on a busy midweek work day, with or without a transit strike. That would be to hold major elections on a Saturday or a Sunday. That's what they do in civilized nations all over the world. And it would be a lot more civilized if we did that here.
Comment removed.
Will, have you seen the wage demands of the union? What world are they living in? Haven't they read that we are in recession and likely will be for some time?— pj katauskas
Leave it to the TWU to be so arrogant as to strike in a bad economy. They don't even realize that nobody has any sympathy for them. Were always talking about corporate greed, what about union greed?— jmc- Comment removed.
- If the Obama administration wouldn't have stupidly ordered the destruction of all the "clunkers", maybe people who have to depend on SEPTA could buy a used car and free themselves from having their lives dictated by the whims of a union.— jmc
"Were always talking about corporate greed, what about union greed?" . . . . . . LOL, when it comes down to gubmint vs. union, suddenly socialism looks good.- Septa highest fare in USA,they depend on taxpayers subsidies,welfare.Politically connectives have the highest paying jobs,they vote themselves a raise.I cant believe all the office workers picking on their fellow brothers in todays workforce to blame,Rendell has the authority to end the strike.Fire his appt,hire new ones-Public Opinion should be directed to Mgmt— jet3to
- Jet3to, how does it feel to be stuck on an island named WRONG?— Phillyrussian7
- Vote your frustration with the local Democratic party today. Walk in the booth, and let the local Philly Dems know just how you feel.— CleanupPhilly
- Will Bunch knows more than most that Reagan stood up to the Air Traffic Controllers Union, and set a new legal precedent in labor law that applies here. I'm surprised, even dismayed, that the two local papers have ignored that Septa management can fire at-will once negotiations are concluded. Negotiations are concluded. Septa gave a best offer, and it's time to fire at-will, because no contract is in effect. This is the law, this is right of the working person who needs transportation to expect from their elected officials and Septa management. Riders first!— CleanupPhilly
I hope SEPTA collapses. Maybe they'll come to understand that the path to increased ridership is LOWER FARES!— ocjones- THIS CITY SUCKS— intelliwoman
- Go right ahead and fire them, Cleanup Philly. Exactly how many people do you know who have the necessary skills and training to drive a city bus, trolley or subway? We won't even mention license or DESIRE! It would take MONTHS for SEPTA to hire and train a new workforce of drivers and motormen if they fired everyone.— Valley Twin
- The first of the mighty unions to cave will be the TWU. Next the plumbers, electricians, roofers, etc. Cops / Firefighters / Teachers (need to be held accountable to national testing standards) should be the only unions that get preferential treatment. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a major cleanup of Democrat-controlled corruption. Let's return Philadelphia to the world-class city that it should be. Attract more / better businesses, lower property / wage / biz privilage taxes, and eliminate needless government employees. Collect delinquent property taxes. Is there any reason why today we have 100% more govt. employees in Philadelphia vs. 30 years ago, yet our population has decreased 30% during that same time period?— Dean1
- As a democrat, SEPTA riding city resident, I am appalled by the arrogance displayed by the union. No one is getting contract terms as generous as these in this world! If they expect any support from anyone, they better look to their home planet, wherever that is. And, Valley Twin, if you actually rode Septa everyday, you would have to ask if any of them actually has "Skills and Training".— BudisMad
Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.
E-mail Will by clicking here.
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