PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The lack of a transit funding deal from the state is complicating contract talks between SEPTA and its largest union.
There are only a few days left in the current Pennsylvania legislative session. While state lawmakers haven’t agreed yet on recurring transit funding, SEPTA’s one-year labor contract with its 5,000 operators and maintenance workers in Transport Workers Union Local 234 expires on Nov. 7.
Negotiations with TWU have been ongoing, but SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards said uncertainty over state funding is making talks difficult.
“We aren’t waiting until then to speak to our TWU members, and we are trying to figure out the best path forward,” Richards assured.
“We want to be able to go into these contract negotiations knowing what our budget’s going to look like for the next few years,” she added. But without predictable funding, “we’re talking about, do we need to do another one-year deal? It’s not something either of us would prefer, but we understand.”
Union President Brian Pollitt won’t go that far.
“Right now, it’s premature to talk about the length of the contract or any other element of what will go in the next collective bargaining agreement,” he said.
Richards agreed that both sides would prefer a three- or four-year deal.
“TWU 234 is focused like a laser beam on getting additional financial support from the Legislature for transportation funding,” Pollitt emphasized.
He said if a funding deal doesn’t get done, then it’ll be time for Plan B.
The union has a strike authorization meeting scheduled for Oct. 27.