SEPTA’s largest union went on strike early this morning – crippling a transit system that averages more than 928,000 trips every weekday in the city.
NOT running:
NO city buses-NO city trolleys-NO Broad Street Subway-NO Market-Frankford EL-NO Frontier Division bus routes
The strike began at 3 a.m. Tuesday. At that hour, all bus, subway, and trolley service in the city – as well as the Frontier Division buses in Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties – was stilled, not long before the busy morning commute.
Gov. Rendell called the decision to strike before dawn “irresponsible,” and said the union action would cause chaos with transit riders who would not know what is happening until after they wake up.
“This is an outrageous action,” said Mayor Michael Nutter, who joined Rendell last night to address reporters in the lobby of the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, where negotiations had been under way since 10 a.m. Monday.
Regional Rail service was not interrupted; those crews are covered by separate contracts. Also continuing to run are Victory Division buses in Delaware County, most operating out of the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby; Route 101 and 102 trolley lines and the Norristown High Speed Line; “LUCY” buses in West Philadelphia between 30th Street Station and University City destinations; and Paratransit service.
The union wants a 4 percent raise each year and health contributions to remain 1 percent. It is also seeking an increase in pension contributions from $75 to $100 for every year of service.
The TWU also is seeking changes in subcontracting and training provisions to allow members to do maintenance and repair work on buses and trolleys now done by outside contractors.
SEPTA’s 5,100 unionized bus drivers, subway and trolley operators earn from $14.54 to $24.24 an hour, reaching the top rate after four years. Mechanics earn $14.40 to $27.59 an hour.
The last strike happened in 2005 and lasted seven days.
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/SEPTA-on-Strike-Tuesday-68836872.html
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20091103_SEPTA_workers_going_on_strike.html
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