PHILADELPHIA — A union representing about 5,000 employees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has authorized a strike if current contract negotiations break down.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports about 1,000 members of Transport Workers Union Local 234, the largest union for SEPTA employees, authorized the strike on a voice vote Sunday morning. The union’s current contract with SEPTA expires Nov. 1, and negotiations have been in progress since the summer.
Local 234 President Willie Brown told the newspaper that the vote “is clearly an indication [SEPTA officials] weren’t listening. We don’t want to strike … But if things break down, we’ll do what we have to do.” A SEPTA spokesman said the agency and union “have been engaging in productive dialogue,” and that the agency remains hopeful an agreement can be reached as negotiations continue this week.
Key bargaining issues include wages, pandemic “hazard pay,” and parental leave. A strike would include subway, trolley, and bus service, but Regional Rail commuter trains would not be included.
SEPTA last faced a strike in 2016, when workers walked out for six days.
SEPTA has proposed eliminating seniority in picking runs, and eliminating a “no layoff” clause that’s been in effect for over 50 years. These may be “throwaway” demands but who knows?
SEPTA had several devastating strikes in the 1970’s that cost them half their ridership. In 1983 the even achieved a 183-day railroad strike.
Sadly, this will become more common as prices rise faster than wages.