The last time SEPTA workers took to the picket lines was 2005. Here's a comparison of the key points:
OBSTACLES
2005: The battle between SEPTA and Transport Workers Union Local 234 centered on 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 a 1 percent contribution, excluding income from overtime.
2009: 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 union's underfunded pension. The TWU says that the two sides are only $4 million apart. There is also disagreement on work rules in the maintenance department involving workers' rights to pick jobs. On wages, SEPTA has offered a five-year contract with no raise in the first year, 2.5 percent in the second year and 3 percent raises for the remaining three years, along with a first-year $1,250 signing bonus.
SEPTA'S FINANCES
2005: The authority faced a $92 million hole in its 2006 budget, and needed a state bailout to break even.
2009: SEPTA now has its first source of dedicated state funding, though that money may be in jeopardy if the state doesn't succeed in its attempt to charge tolls on Interstate 80. And though ridership and revenues are down due to high unemployment, SEPTA hopes that those numbers will level off in the coming months.
THE PLAYERS
2005: Elected officials, especially U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, were instrumental in getting both sides to compromise.
2009: Brady - along with Mayor Nutter and Gov. Rendell - has been heavily involved again this time. It is hoped that they can make things happen more quickly. In 2005, the strike lasted seven days.
- By staff writer Kitty Caparella
and Anthony Campisi of
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