When we heard that SEPTA workers had taken to the picket lines, we went digging through the archives to see how this round of negotiations compares to 2005 -- when the union last went out on strike.
Last Time
In '05, the battle between SEPTA and Transport Workers Union Local 234 centered around health care costs. Union employees had never before contributed to their health care, and SEPTA was pushing them to chip in 5 percent toward their premiums. The two sides eventually settled on 1-percent contributions, excluding income from overtime.
This Time
Though SEPTA did begin these negotiations asking workers for increased health care contributions, it has since dropped that request. Now the main sticking point is the size of wage increases. SEPTA has offered a five-year contract with no raise in the first year, a 2.5-percent hike in the second year and 3-percent raises for the remaining three years, along with a first-year $1,250 signing bonus. That didn’t satisfy union leaders, who argue that the increase is less than they saw under the 2005 contract, when wages increased 3 percent a year.
SEPTA's Finances
SEPTA’s finances have improved. The authority faced a $92 million hole in its 2006 budget, and needed a state bailout to break even. Since then, it has been granted its first source of dedicated state funding (though that money may be in jeopardy if the state doesn't succeed in its attempt to toll I-80). And though ridership and revenues are down due to high unemployment, SEPTA hopes those numbers will level off in the coming months.
The Players
A lot of things have changed since 2005, but here's one that hasn't really: In 2005, elected officials, especially Rep. Bob Brady (D-Pa.), were instrumental in getting both sides to compromise. Brady, along with Mayor Nutter and Gov. Rendell, has been heavily involved again this time. Hopefully they can make things happen more quickly than back in 2005. That strike lasted seven days.
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This time management needs to fire them at-will. Septa is not a racist, greedy bank or international corporation with off shore accounts, as the union seems keen on suggesting. Septa is funded by riders and taxpayers, and those stake holders deserve to be treated with respect. Vote your displeasure with Rendell, Brady, and Nutter, and all the Democrats in Philly that allow this union to hurt the economy and working people at a cost of hundreds of millions, for a their personal gain. Let the Democrats know how you feel about them coddling the TWU endlessly when Septa can simply hire replacement workers.— CleanupPhilly- CleanupPhilly- Stop using every single article linked to this story to spew your personal political agenda. It's getting old. I vote my displeasure with listening to tired comments by CleanupPhilly!— toph314
- I second that toph314!— jt126
- Yeah, but he/she (cleanup) is usually dead on with what needs to get done. Instead of complaining (toph314)offer some substance instead of complaining. You're the reason this city isn't hitting its potential.— Landfill
- SEPTA wants to outsource vehicle maintenance. TWU members have to submit to drug & alcohol tests but the non-union workers at the places SEPTA subcontracts to do not. SEPTA management doesn't care if you are riding in a safe vehicle. TWU members do. But you don't hear that on the news because the pretty talking heads on TV never bother to talk to the TWU members. That said, get back to the table -- BOTH SIDES -- because, as much as I support the TWU in general, this strike is wrong.— owlets
- Cost of living has been flat if not slightly negative. Unemployment is close to 10% nationwide. Why would *anyone* deserve guaranteed raises in this economy? Many of the people I know haven't had a raise in a couple years with none on the horizon. How about just tying raises to some cost of living measure? Get back to work.........— j_role
- I used the subway on Sunday and I saw a SEPTA employee sitting behind the glass in the booth text messaging. In what other workplace to do you get paid to sit around doing nothing and allowed to have your cell phone out and using it for text messaging? This strike is an abomination and all of these employees should be fired for their incompetence.— Irishgrrl
- Why should anything be guaranteed?— motoedde3
- Same old story, always finding an excuse to not have raises wether the economy is good or bad. Join a union and perhaps your wages will go up also.
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Striking was for the fifties, sixties and seventies to get proper representation, benefits and training programs. Today, it is simply for greed. The lady who keeps posting on here says we do not know that they make Septa workers stay on their job past their scheduled end time. So what. You show me someone leaving work exactly at their end time today and I'll show you someone headed for the unemployment line. What does an 11% salary increase have to do with being kept after work. They already get overtime pay. Try a salaried job where you have to put in an extra 10 hours a week for no pay. Stop the whining. 1% healthcare is disgusting, even the people who work for Blue Cross pay higher than that.— mikeyg
- Everyone should be sending their comments to Rendell and your local rep in Philly. Look them up on google. This is the best way to stop this union from getting these ridiculous raises, benefits and sign-on bonuses. Tell the politicians not to give an inch.— iamsue
- Iamsue get a clue...the politicians have nothing to do with the contracts other then giving their input. And do You honestly think any politician from this area would risk the backlash from busting a Union...it would be political suicide...and rightfully so. Why dont they eserve a raise....because you didnt get one? because someone else didnt get one? Because of this and that? Boo Hoo cry me a river...If they get a raise maybe more of you whiners will grab a kleenex...wipe the snot from your nose...grow a pair and stand up together and demands raises in solidarity like the unions do. People say they havent had raises for a year...again...so what....who fault is that? The Economy? SEPTA management had the money set aside for the union last year for 3% across the board but when the economy tanked they used it as an excuse even though they already had the funding for it. You know what you will see after this strike...everything the union is asking for...then length of the strike will determine how much they are asking for. You see for every day that the twu is on strike septa with its yearly funding already in the bank...saves money on payroll, benefits, fuel, repairs, etc. This strike will last as long as is necessary for the money gained from the strike will actually pay for the unions demands. Until then...stop whining people and just deal with it. It could be worse.— Fraz
- Septa can hire me, I'd love to be paid the one of the highest transportation workers in the country. I'll only take a raise every two years.— millsie9969
MONEY AND JUSTICE DON'T MIX
WILL THE NEW COUNCIL GIVE YOU A SAY?
Tips? Comments? Questions?
Contact:
Doron Taussig:
215-854-5307
doron.taussig@gmail.com
@dorontaussig
Holly Otterbein:
215-854-5809
hm.otterbein@gmail.com
@hollyotterbein
Juliana Reyes:
215-854-5855
juliana.f.reyes@gmail.com
@juliana_f_reyes
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