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SEPTA, transit workers to resume talks today for new contract

By KITTY CAPARELLA
Philadelphia Daily News

caparek@phillynews.com 215-854-5880

SEPTA and Local 234 of the Transport Workers Union planned to resume negotiations today on a contract for 4,700 operators, mechanics, maintenance and building-trade workers on the subways, buses and trolleys in the city transit division.

Both sides - bargaining at the Holiday Inn, on 4th Street near Arch - said they wanted to avert a strike during the World Series. Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) are to be played on successive days starting on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

Negotiators last met on Friday for the first time since March 15, when the TWU contract expired.

About 810,000 customers ride SEPTA each year, with most making two trips per weekday, and more than half transfering from one route to another, according to SEPTA.

On the table are the "meat and potato issues" of wages, health care and pensions, said Richard Maloney, SEPTA spokesman.

Willie Brown, president of the TWU Local 234, said his committee was ready to negotiate.

Last night, both sides moved into the hotel in Old City where they were setting up their computer systems to be able to flesh out proposals.

Union leaders advised members to be ready in the event of a potential work stoppage and to pick up strike signs at 7 p.m. tonight at union headquarters at 500 N. 2nd St.

The last SEPTA strike in the City and Victory (formerly Red Arrow) Divisions was in 2005 and lasted seven days.

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Comments

Posted 01:55 PM, 10/27/2009

Smarter Thanyou

OMG! They haven't had a raise since December... 11 whole months! Even though 99% of other companies have suspended merit increases for the last 12-18 months, this union somehow thinks that they are suffering due to an 11 month wait. I feel sorry for the drivers who will lose pay during a strike called for by the super-corrupt TWU 234.

Posted 01:59 PM, 10/27/2009

Smarter Thanyou

Posted 03:46 PM, 10/27/2009

themarshall

Septa had plenty of time to get a contract before this weekend (3-15-09)contract expired but, as usual drag their feet and as usual blame anyone they can find. Septa, wake up! you are loaded with old ways so same old same old it just wont work anymore.

Posted 04:08 PM, 10/27/2009

FletcherT

Can we get rid of SEPTA and the unions, too?

Comment removed.

Posted 04:14 PM, 10/27/2009

chrissmith

Sorry SEPTA, the public doesn't support you this time around.

Posted 04:15 PM, 10/27/2009

Philatonian

Boycott SEPTA. Call a cab.

Comment removed.

Posted 04:30 PM, 10/27/2009

Lori T.

Smarter ThanYou - Funny how you weren't smart enough to only push the button once!

Posted 04:32 PM, 10/27/2009

chrissmith

Alpha, a SEPTA bus driver with four years experience makes around $50,000 plus generous benefits plus a pension! What the heck are you talking about?

Posted 04:57 PM, 10/27/2009

Smarter Thanyou

Lori, I did click it once. But Verizon DSL stinks and forced the page to reload while it was "thinking" about its next move.

Comment removed.

Posted 10:30 PM, 10/27/2009

asdfjkl1234567890

Obama take note! Health care reform would be providing America with the same iron-clad health bennies SEPTA "workers" get!

Posted 08:07 AM, 10/28/2009

notjetjew

I would wish the person(Kitty Caprella) who wrote this artical wouls mention the amount of money the workers make and their bennies, so we can judge is a raise is forthcoming. I'm not a union person and if i were in charge of SEPTA i would fire them all.