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SEPTA Strike, Day 4: Hopes fading for settlement

Hopes for an end today to a transit strike receded as union leaders reviewed a revised contract offer from SEPTA.

Leaders of the Transport Workers Union Local 234 did not immediately respond to the latest offer, and the lack of movement was seen as an indication that a settlement would not be reached in time to get city buses, subways and trolleys running in time for this afternoon's rush hour.

Gov. Rendell and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady met with leaders of the Transport Workers Union Local 234 last night. Rendell and Brady emerged cautiously optimistic, though they had sounded similar notes last Saturday before the union went on strike.

The 5,100 bus drivers, subway and trolley operators and mechanics went on strike at 3 a.m. Tuesday. Their leaders rejected a contract that included a $1,250 bonus upon ratification, a 2.5 percent raise the second year, and a 3 percent raise in each of the final three years.

It also called for no increase in the workers' health-insurance contributions, which are 1 percent of base pay. It called for a graduated increase in workers' contributions to their pensions, from 2 percent to 3.5 percent, and an increase in the maximum pension payment to retirees, from $27,000 a year to $30,000 a year.

In addition to increased pension contributions from SEPTA, the union was seeking a 3 percent raise for each year of a four-year contract.

Pensions have emerged as a key sticking point. Union President Willie Brown said Wednesday that the strikers would "stay out as long as it takes to secure our pension."

The union also wants more control over "job picking" rights.

Since the strike began, riders have turned to their cars and the still operating Regional Rail system, jamming roadways and packing already crowded commuter trains.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia also reports that a count conducted at the Walnut and Chestnut Street Bridges on Wednesday indicated that the strike had prompted a 38 percent spike in bicycle ridership.

The strikebound operations handled more than 900,000 fares daily.

 


Contact staff writer Paul Nussbaum at 215-854-4587 or pnussbaum@phillynews.com

 

Comments   
Posted 07:14 AM, 11/06/2009
Sillimish
Here's the solution: break the union, draft all members into immediate military service in a combat zone and hire new personnel.
Posted 07:16 AM, 11/06/2009
phillypapers
Hopefully it will be resolved more easily without Nutter's self-promotion messing things up. I support the strikers. Good Luck!
Posted 07:37 AM, 11/06/2009
hiyld
Rendell was at the Phillies game Sunday night and on CNBC for 3 hours Tuesday and I am sure he will take full credit for settling this thing. What a d-bag! These union robots continue to vote Democrat and continue to be screwed by the officials they vote for.
Posted 07:40 AM, 11/06/2009
concerns25
In the State should make Septa go to binding arbritration, the union wants it, the ridership wants it and this would stop the union from holding riders hostage. Heck I would pay more for tokens/passes if I knew there would be no strike.
Posted 07:47 AM, 11/06/2009
jim715
septa employees only have to pay 1% of their pay for health insurance? my coworkers would be lining up for that deal...plus guaranteed annual raises no matter how you perform? sign me up!
Posted 07:49 AM, 11/06/2009
Tom5576
Bad Bad Willie Brown The baddest man in the whole da** town Badder than Old King Kong Meaner than a junkyard dog.
Posted 07:52 AM, 11/06/2009
beansdale1
Fire them all
Posted 07:54 AM, 11/06/2009
Who cares
Willie Brown is the biggest scum of them all. Probably the most hated man in the city of Philadelphia right now. He actaully has nutter outbeat, and that was something I thought would never happen.
Posted 07:55 AM, 11/06/2009
Shabba Rommel
If "Back on Track" means the union extorting money from citizens of this country while in the middle of the worst economy in nearly 70yrs, then they are correct. Amazing how with the unions its, "US vs. Them". Too bad politicians (Rendell/Nutter/ City Council) get a lot of money from the unions to campaign...otherwise they would do the right thing.
Posted 07:56 AM, 11/06/2009
phlyfumblr
They want and want and want with no associated accountability. We had a loss in our raises, an increase in our healthcare cost AND a loss of contribution into our 401k- never had a pension offer- And our raises are based on performance- not for just showing up. TWU is pathetic
Posted 08:00 AM, 11/06/2009
Vanzant
Fire everyone of those employees...Disgracful they are sucking the system dry
Posted 08:08 AM, 11/06/2009
wolfburn
I hope this new offer is something along the lines of here I just used the toilet, go clean it.
Posted 08:17 AM, 11/06/2009
hiyld
Shabba - it's a miracle! I dont think I have ever agreed with one of your posts until now.
Posted 08:21 AM, 11/06/2009
ryan4846
I thought the issue was pension, now they are working on increases. Make up your mind, Mr. Brown!
Posted 08:23 AM, 11/06/2009
TheManTheMyth
To paraphrase a line from teh Godfather I hope the offer is omething along the lines of: You can have my offer now if you'd like it, nothing, not even the old salary you were making
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