SEPTA: Union didn't show up for contract negotiations Friday

SEPTA officials say the Transport Workers Union Local 234 didn't show up for contract negotiations this morning, less than a day before the contract expires for one of the union's divisions.

The transit agency has been negotiating a new agreement with the City Transit Division, whose contract expires at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Negotiations had been scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. today at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, SEPTA spokeswoman Jerri Williams said, but the union said it wouldn't be coming to the hotel today or over the weekend.

Still, SEPTA officials say they are hopeful a strike can be averted.

Williams said the agency has "had no indication that there is going to be a work stoppage."

The transit agency is waiting to hear back from the union on two fronts: The TWU sent SEPTA a proposal on Thursday, and the agency sent the union a counter-proposal this morning. SEPTA has also asked the union for a three-month extension.

A spokesman for the union didn't return a call for comment Friday.

SEPTA this morning outlined its alternate service plans in case the 4,700 operators and mechanics in that division go on strike.

If City Transit Division workers strike, the Market-Frankford and Broad Street subway lines will be shut down. Bus and trolley routes in the city also won't run. All told, the division carries an average of 825,000 passengers each weekday.

Service that will continue includes Regional Rail, bus and trolley routes in the suburbs, the Norristown High Speed Line, LUCY and CCT Connect. Some suburban buses would have their routes adjusted.

SEPTA said Regional Rail service would be heavily burdened by the extra passengers if there is a strike.

"It's going to be crowded," Williams said. Officials said extra cars could be added to trains to help carry the influx of riders. Managers would also be pulled in to help with fare collection, crowd control and customer service at Regional Rail stations.

SEPTA officials didn't specify what issues had become sticking points in the contract talks.

In a March 3 newsletter, TWU leaders cited proposed pension, health-benefit and holiday changes as reasons to prepare for a strike.

Separate contracts with other union divisions expire next month.

TWU workers last went on strike in 2009. That six-day walkout also involved the City Transit Division, shutting down bus, trolley and subway service within Philadelphia.

Some riders say they're worried about the possibility of a strike.

"I don't drive," Faith Burdick said while waiting for a bus in Center City Friday morning. "I rely on SEPTA for everything."

The South Philadelphia resident said she doesn't know what she'll do if the buses, trolleys and subways she uses stop running.

"It shuts the city down," she said.

Source: Philly.com