Last update: 4 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Transport Workers Union Local 234 President Brian Pollitt says no strike yet, while talks toward a new contract continue. Emerging from negotiations Monday, Pollitt said, with SEPTA facing a $240 million structural deficit and no state transit funding solution on the horizon, the union is looking at a one-year contract.
"We both agreed to continue talking. We’re not pulling the plug as of yet. We’re going to continue talking," said Pollitt.
And while SEPTA is piloting ballistic enclosures for bus drivers, Pollitt says salary increases remain a sticking point.
"Some progress is being made with the safety and security issues. We’re still in a holding pattern over raises."
The contract for TWU Local 234, which represents 5,000 workers who operate buses, trolleys, the Broad Street Line and the El, expired on Nov. 8. Pollitt says they have been talking about a possible joint strike with District Council 33, the city’s blue collar workers union, as well as SMART Local 1594, the suburban drivers union — which could bring multiple city services to a halt.
"We’re all public sector brothers and sisters. So we’re still in talks."
But for now, that’s on hold.
The contract for suburban drivers union, including bus drivers and trolley and Norristown High Speed Line operators, expired Monday. It is yet another labor issue for the transit agency, which has been negotiating with city transit workers after their contract ended earlier this month.
Safety and security are sticking points in their negotiations, as well.
The contract talks with both unions are taking place at the same time that SEPTA has been sounding the alarm over potential rate hikes and service cuts, as it is dealing with a massive $153 million hole in its budget.
Meanwhile, the city’s blue-collar workers union, AFSCME District Council 33, which represents more than 9,000 water, sanitation and prisons department workers, has been working without a new contract since June. Union members voted overwhelmingly last week to authorize a strike, if necessary.
If it comes to that point, union officials said they may consider walking off the job at the same time as SEPTA’s TWU Local 234, which could bring multiple city services to a halt.