PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA's largest union says it plans to keep working beyond its upcoming contract expiration.
SEPTA has navigated its share of problems lately but a strike by transit operators won't be one of them — at least not this week. While SEPTA's one-year labor contract with the Transport Workers Union runs out on Friday, in a video to members, Bill Bannon, Local 234 executive vice president, said the union plans to stay on the job for now.
“Nov. 7 is the expiration of our contract. However, that is not our deadline. We're gonna continue to bargain in good faith with the authority next week,” he said.
So far, the 5,000 transit operators and maintenance workers have not taken a strike authorization vote. Local 234 President Will Vera said he'll have more info about that next week, though in the meantime, he told members to be prepared.
“As we continue to bargain, we're asking you to please continue to come to work and put money aside. We want you to be prepared in case we have to call a work stoppage,” he said.
SEPTA is using capital funds to pay for operations for the next two years. In an interview with KYW Newsradio, Vera said he was seeking a two-year contract after two straight one-year deals.