PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A week after the expiration of their contract, SEPTA’s 5,000 bus train and trolley operators are still on the job. Despite the possibility of a strike, outgoing SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards said it’s encouraging that negotiations toward a new contract are still ongoing.
“They have been productive, and [I’m] happy to report that there’s ongoing discussions,” she said. “The last thing that you want to hear is that they’ve stopped and we can’t continue to figure out a path forward.”
However, Richards said it’s difficult to negotiate raises when SEPTA is facing a $153 million deficit this year and has already announced plans for a 29% fare hike and deep service cuts.
At the same time, Transport Workers Union Local 234 has been talking with the city’s blue-collar workers union, AFSCME District Council 33, about a possible joint strike at any time. DC 33 members on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike, if necessary.
Richards said a coordinated strike would have a huge impact on the city.
“I’m truly hoping that that’s not a future that we’re looking at soon, with multiple unions taking those types of actions. But we will see,” she said.
There’s also been a call for the governor to flex federal highway funds over to mass transit to help SEPTA continue. Richards said the fact that those discussions are going on is a good thing as well.
“I’m still hopeful,” she said. “People have said that I’m an optimist, and I am. So, still hoping.”
The two sides have agreed to keep in touch over the weekend but no formal negotiations are scheduled.