Contract talks resume in SEPTA labor dispute

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) --Talks have resumed between SEPTA and the transit workers union as both sides work to avoid a strike.

The two sides met Thursday in a conference room at the Wyndham Hotel in Old City.

Things are getting down to the wire, and union sources tell us it's not going well.

On Monday, union boss Willie Brown announced he was willing to give it one more week before deciding if his 4,700 members will hit the picket lines. That would put the brakes on commuters who rely on the buses, trolleys and subways.

Union sources tell us that things have not gone well this week. They say hopes for a contract were derailed a couple of weeks ago when SEPTA started making new demands, including a five year contract instead of two.

SEPTA says everything is still negotiable and remains hopeful that a strike can be averted.

The workers have remained on the job since their contracts expired seven months ago. They didn't strike then because union negotiators felt they were making good progress toward a new deal.

Brown says he will make a decision about a strike at the end of the day tomorrow if they don't have a satisfactory contract by then.

And he says he will give commuters 24 hours notice before calling a strike.

Commuters say a strike would be a real hardship.

Sharita Dixon of North Philadelphia tells us, "If there's a strike that's going to be a bad thing for me, because as you can see I have to be at work early in the morning, and I won't be able to get to work."

Lashawn Jones, also of North Philadelphia, says, "I won't be able to get to work. I need to get to work - everyday. If they go on strike then that's going to take my money."

The transit workers went on strike five years ago and it caused major headaches for commuters - even for those who were able to switch to regional rail, which will remain running if there is a strike.

Source: 6abc.com