And then there was one.
Mayor Nutter was the first to go. He was "cut out" of SEPTA contract negotiations during an acrimonious exchange in the press with TWU president Willie Brown. Nutter had criticized the union, and Brown retorted by calling the mayor "little Caesar" and saying he would no longer meet with him.
Yesterday, after making some optimistic remarks that didn't pan out, Governor Rendell threatened to cut himself out of the process, and to take $7 million in state money with him if the union didn't bring SEPTA's latest contract offer to its members for a vote. The governor's exit, should it come to pass, would be similarly unfriendly. At the press conference announcing it, Rendell said he was "entirely frustrated."
Of the three big shot pols who set out to help mediate this strike, only congressman Bob Brady has not thus far left on bad terms. And Rendell, by demanding a membership vote, has given the impression that he just doesn't want to deal with union leadership anymore. Which makes us wonder: How much of a role are personal frustration and animosity playing in the stalemate?
SEPTA management and union leadership can't just abandon negotiations -- they're the actual parties in the dispute. But no doubt they're feeling frustrated, too -- getting tired of one another's voices and, probably, annoying personal tics. How could they not? They've spent over a week in a room, under a lot of public pressure, arguing. Each side probably thinks the other is being completely unreasonable. And these folks aren't even professional politicians, who pretend to like people for a living. They're probably tempted to hold back on concessions just to not give the other guy the satisfaction.
One hopes, however, that the participants are managing to keep the larger picture in mind -- that there's a whole city of people who need them to sort this out, and soon. It's not a good sign that no negotiations are scheduled. Remember: It's not about the guy across the table.
The egos need to go! The membership needs to go back to work! The people of this City (who pay all of these salaries) need to get their mass transportation back! Enough of the threats, it is bull....!— fozziebear- ANTI-TWU PROTEST TODAY AT 1PM at SEPTA HQ, 1234 Market Street. See http://twitter.com/strikeprotest. Be there!— chrissmith
Comment removed.- On Oct 29, 2009 the Inquirer said, "SEPTA bus, subway, and trolley operators earn from $14.54 to $24.24 an hour, reaching the top rate after four years. Mechanics earn $14.40 to $27.59 an hour." Honestly, that is not nearly $52,000 a year. Starting at $30,000 a year is more like it. http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20091029_SEPTA_union_tells_workers__Get_ready_for_strike.html— phillypapers
- Phillypapers -- 30K to 50K in 4 years is a helluva raise from when you start. Also, the amount of OT senior members get pushes the average salary of $52K much higher for those who have been there past 4 years. Dude, just stick to what you know and stop trying to think you have better information than the media.— MMillercold421
- The SEPTA workers pension fund has been underfunded by SEPTA for 20 years. It is 52% funded today. I'd be worried about my pension too with the way SEPTA has managed the pension fund.— tom-104
- I know why Rendell is out; he was on Meet The Press this morning and didn't want to lose out on face time. He will come back here tonite to appear on PostGame live with Barkann to discuss the outcome of the Eagles/Cowboys game.— flyingshrapnel
- MMillecold421- I'm not saying I know more than the media. I'm actually QUOTING the media (hence the quote from the Inquirer). Once again, according to the Inquirer, Septa drivers start at $14.54 an hour. That is hardly an outrageous wage.— phillypapers
- They made 10 dollars more an hour after 4 years. 14.54 an hour does come out to 30k, but for a job that doesn't require education, that's not bad at all. However, after 4 years, they are making 25 an hour, which DOES come out to 52k per year. Not to mention all of their overtime. Most SEPTA drivers have been driving for years, so most of them are making the 52k.
- Seriously phillypapers, all of the arguments that you've been making are logically flawed in the sense that you only pick out bits and pieces of the real argument to satisfy your twisted version of reality in which people who get at $10 per hour raise in 4 years (who do nothing else but DRIVE A BUS) is normal. That's a pretty sweet deal compared to other jobs that require an EDUCATION, and also considering that most people would kill for that type of job security. Do you think janitors have it this good? It's not a matter of wanting them to be poor like the rest of us. They should be grateful for what they have and the fact that they can provide for their families when many other Americans cannot.— afb264
- All DEMOCRAT MACHINE POLITICAL HACKS - You reap what you sow Philly.— Kaiser Sosa
- How many days before all these (union) editorial "writers" need to find another job? Good news; SEPTA may be hiring in a few weeks and you are all qualified for their jobs.— Kaiser Sosa
- This is not about personal feelings, it's about the TWU refusing reasonable offers by impartial, even sympathetic brokers. There's only one outcome -- at-will status of Septa management so they can hire and fire at will. That is the best deal for the taxpayer and the rider. I hope the DN and Ink can include the rider and taxpayer in their sympathies some time soon.— CleanupPhilly
- The average taxpayer and rider looks at the quality of Septa service now and sees a system that is overstaffed, unautomated, dirty, even smelling of human waste, and sees the huge cost in salaries and benefits. Enough. If the Democrats can't stand up to the union, then we can put someone in the governor's seat or Congressman's chair that can.— CleanupPhilly
- Can you imagine Willie Brown even bending over to pick up a piece of trash out of pride? His wind would blow people off the platform.— CleanupPhilly
MONEY AND JUSTICE DON'T MIX
WILL THE NEW COUNCIL GIVE YOU A SAY?
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Contact:
Doron Taussig:
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doron.taussig@gmail.com
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Holly Otterbein:
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Juliana Reyes:
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juliana.f.reyes@gmail.com
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