SEPTA union: Strike will continue | Philly

Monday, Nov 23, 12:07 PM

Web Search powered by YAHOO! SEARCH

options

Friday, November 6, 2009

SEPTA union: Strike will continue

Despite reports that an agreement to end the SEPTA strike was close at hand, a spokesman for TWU Local 234 says that both sides are no closer to finding a resolution.

Spokesman Jamie Horwitz said talks yesterday produced few results.

“No progress was made yesterday,” he said. “There are no plans for any kind of press conference or media briefing today. The strike continues.”

Horwitz refused to elaborate further, saying that the union didn't want to negotiate through the press. At this time, there are no direct talks scheduled between Local 234 and SEPTA management. That means it is almost certain that the strike will drag through the weekend.

Yesterday, TWU Local 234 and SEPTA met separately with Gov. Ed Rendell and Rep. Bob Brady. There was some hope that these talks might have edged both sides closer to a resolution, but those hopes appear to be dashed.

Review city services on our sister site, City Howl.

Posted by Ben Waxman @ 12:04 PM Permalink | 5 comments

Comments

Posted 12:28 PM, 11/06/2009

chrissmith

The only logical explanation: the union leaders are on crack. That's the only way I can make sense of this. We're in a severe recession, unemployment is now over 10 percent. SEPTA has offered $1,250 JUST TO AGREE to their contract, plus no increases in healthcare payments, plus very good raises for the next five years. Yes, the union leaders are on crack.

Posted 12:39 PM, 11/06/2009

PhillyTaxes

Given how generous SEPTA's initial offer, perhaps it is time for a different strategy. For every 24 hours that the strike continues, 1 percent of the proposed raise will be eliminated. (Obviously there is no chance that any politician has the spine to do this; but we, the humble taxpayers and riders, who pay the price for these inflated salaries and benefits, can dare to dream...)

Posted 12:51 PM, 11/06/2009

phillyccgwm

For every week they strike they are unpaid about 2% of their annual salary. So at best they break even with anything else they get in negotiations.

Posted 02:17 PM, 11/06/2009

Zero

five guys has great burgers

Posted 02:39 PM, 11/06/2009

Anon1

@ chrissmith: Your logic is as twisted as your mind is. Why does the union leaders have to be on crack? Just asking.

5 comments

About It's Our Money

Every year, city government spends slightly more than $4 billion. Where does all that money come from? More importantly, where does it go? Are we getting the most bang for our tax buck? “It's Our Money” is a joint project between Philadelphia Daily News and WHYY, funded by the William Penn Foundation, designed to answer these questions.

EXCLUSIVE: UNION PRESIDENT SPEAKS OUT

It's Our Money's Ben Waxman interviews TWU Local 234 president Willie Brown on why he called the strike when he did, what it's like to be more hated than A-Rod, and what it will take the union to go back on the job. Click here to see the exclusive interview.

FOLLOW THE (LACK OF) MONEY

Philadelphia’s five-year plan includes $300 million in service cuts. Which departments are seeing their budgets slashed, and what are the consequences? Our Follow the (lack of) Money series takes stock of the effects of the budget crisis. This week: Housing Trust Fund.

State and local budget news:

National budget news:

Ben Waxman reports and blogs for “It's Our Money.” Before joining “It's Our Money,” he was a regular contributor to the Philadelphia Daily News op-ed page and former contributor to the blog Young Philly Politics. He studied political science at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA.

Doron Taussig is the Project Manager for “It's Our Money.” He is also a graduate student in communications at Temple University. Previously he worked as a Staff Writer and News Editor for the Philadelphia City Paper.

Dave Merrell is the Web Editor for "It's Our Money." He comes to the project from Philly.com, where he is a web producer. Originally from upstate New York, he moved to Philadelphia after graduating from Haverford College with a degree in math and economics.

Anthony Campisi reports and blogs for "It's Our Money." Originally hailing from Central Jersey, he came to Philadelphia while a student at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied intellectual history. He also writes about transportation for PlanPhilly, an innovative urban planning website started by PennPraxis, the consulting arm of the Penn School of Design.