PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Union members have voted to authorize a strike if they do not reach a new deal with SEPTA by the end of the month.
More than 1,000 members of Transport Workers Union Local 234 met Sunday for the vote. According to Local 234 president Willie Brown, the vote was unanimous. Many members left the meeting in jubilation over the result.
The current SEPTA contract expires at the end of October. Union members indicated their biggest concerns for a new contract include maternity leave, safety, pension, seniority and pay. They said SEPTA has not budged on those points.
"It went as expected," said Brown. "The members voted that if contract negotiations break down, that we'll be forced to go on strike."
"The language they put out was ridiculous," said Tony Baker, Sr., who has worked in maintenance for SEPTA for 33 years. "We totally rejected every proposal they offered us."
"We don't want to strike," added Brown. "We'll do everything we can to work and keep the system running, but if [negotiations break down], we have to do it."
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That system, of course, is one that many in the area depend upon, including 60,000 schoolchildren. Philadelphia schools superintendent William Hite had said in a letter that the School District of Philadelphia will return to virtual learning if a SEPTA strike is declared.
In a statement to KYW Newsradio, SEPTA said, "SEPTA and representatives from TWU Local 234 have been engaging in a productive dialogue at the bargaining table. Those discussions will continue this week, and we are hopeful that an agreement can be reached without any service disruptions for riders."