PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Transport Workers Union Local 234 has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against SEPTA, claiming the agency failed to negotiate with the union before piloting its new on-demand service called Owl Link.
SEPTA contracts with an outside company to run the Owl Link. That has ruffled the feathers of the union representing SEPTA operators and maintenance workers.
Local 234 president Willie Brown said his union has filed a grievance, alleging SEPTA violated their collective bargaining agreement.
“You have to negotiate that with us,” Brown said. “That’s an unfair labor practice not to negotiate that with us. That’s our work.”
Related
The Owl Link, an on-demand shuttle connecting overnight workers in Lower Bucks County with three 24-hour SEPTA bus routes, launched May 10.
SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch said the transit agency informed Local 234 of the pilot, but didn’t open a formal negotiation.
“It was SEPTA’s belief that this didn’t require a negotiation with TWU before it was started,” Busch said.
Related
Busch said SEPTA believes the Owl Link service was not subject to negotiation, saying it was similar to nonunion paratransit services that operate beyond SEPTA’s fixed routes.
In addition to the grievance, Local 234 has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.
“SEPTA hasn’t received the complaint yet,” Busch said. “We will review it as soon as it comes in.”
Related
