Philly Transit Strike Surprises Commuters

Without Warning, Union Shuts Down City's Public Transportation as Riders Slept

(CBS/AP)  The Philadelphia transit system's largest union went on strike early Tuesday, stalling the city's bus, subway and trolley operations a day after the World Series shifted to New York and forcing thousands of commuters to find other ways to work.

The strike by Transport Workers Union Local 234 all but crippled a transit system that averages more than 928,000 trips each weekday. The union represents more than 5,000 drivers, operators and mechanics of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

"They make more money than I could ever fathom to make, and they're going on strike," commuter Walter Gordon told CBS News station KYW-TV in Philadelphia Tuesday morning. "What about us guys trying to get to work?"

"We don't deserve to wake up at 3 o'clock in the morning to find out if there's a strike," said Jeffrey Chandler, 49, who had to call a friend for a ride to SEPTA's regional rail line so he could get to his job as a hotel room attendant.

The union had threatened to go on strike during the World Series. But over the weekend Gov. Ed Rendell ordered the union and SEPTA to remain at the bargaining table or risk consequences.

Willie Brown, the local's president, said they decided to strike after both sides agreed that they had gone as far as they could in negotiations. The announcement came just hours after the Phillies beat the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series, the last game to be played at Citizens Bank Park. Brown said the strike was effective as of 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Philadephila Mayor Michael Nutter told KYW-TV that public officials negotiated with the union over the weekend and throughout Monday to try and reach an agreement.

"There was a very good, very fair offer on the table, unlike virtually anything else going on in any contract negotiations, city or state, right now," Nutter told KYW-TV. "I do not understand why the leaders of the union rejected that offer. It was a good offer. It was a fair offer, and the members of the public, I think, are going to be equally confused if not angry about what has happened here."

The doors to subway stations were gated off Tuesday and no buses crawled the streets in the city's downtown corridor. Commuters trying to get to work said they had to make last-minute accommodations when they awoke to word of a strike.

Riders expressed a range of emotions, from anger to resignation.

Aisha Nnoli, a doctor from Upper Darby, had just finished a 12-hour shift at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital when she found the gates closed at her subway train stop. When she went to the next station and saw it was also closed, she said she started realizing there might be a strike.

Eventually, she went to an information kiosk and found that she could at least get halfway home by using regional rail. But would still leave her more than three miles from her door.

"It's an inconvenience, obviously," Nnoli said.

The effects of the strike were mitigated somewhat because Philadelphia schools are closed for Election Day; on an average weekday, about 54,000 public and parochial school students take SEPTA to school. The city also announced Tuesday that it was relaxing parking restrictions in some areas for the duration of the strike.

The strike also affects buses that serve the suburbs in Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties. Regional rail service was still operating, but trains were delayed as they experienced higher-than-normal crowds.

The two sides had postponed a scheduled Sunday night meeting. They met again Monday at Rendell's regional office in Philadelphia. SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney said the talks ended after union negotiators walked out at around midnight.

The union membership voted Oct. 25 to authorize a strike. They have been without a contract since March.

Union workers, who earn an average $52,000 a year, are seeking an annual 4 percent wage hike and want to keep the current 1 percent contribution they make toward the cost of their health care coverage.

Maloney said SEPTA was offering an 11.5 percent wage increase over 5 years, with no raise in the first year, and increases in workers' pensions.

A 2005 SEPTA strike lasted seven days, while a 1998 transit strike lasted for 40 days.

Frank Brinkman, a union member who does electronic work on an elevated SEPTA train, was out on the picket line early Tuesday. He said he was concerned about pension issues and changes to work rules.

"We've been ready since March 15," Brinkman said of the strike. "We're in here for the long haul."

He said the union didn't want to strike, but that SEPTA gave it no choice.

"We don't want to see anybody suffer," he said. "We have to stand up for our rights."

[schoolgirl2013]

I am 19 year old that go to college, i don't know why they complaning when my mother have to work two jobs just to pay rent and the bills. i know that my mom would love there job and even me. i almost miss school today and if i miss class cause of them then that 200$ for each class. they should pay that sinse they the one who made miss class cause i cant get to school

[tramplers]

I am an electronics tech who makes about $40K a year. Not only did I NOT get a raise this year, I had to take a 10% pay cut. The economy is in a shambles. The unemployment rate is 10%. I say fire them all and hire new people. I am sure people would be coming from all over the country for a chance to make $50K a year.

At one time unions were needed. I think they have outlived their usefullness. IMO, they were the main reason that the automakers were all in the dumps.

[mskmw]

As awful as this strike is, I hope Mayor Nutter does not cave in to the demands of the Septa union. Everyone deserves a fair wage and benefits, but in this economy, they are paid higher than a heck of a lot of people and pay almost nothing toward their benefits. Most people went without raises this year, and are paying a higher premium for benefits. This is a slap in the face to the average worker -- I'd love a guarantee of 11.5% raise over 5 years with no increase in medical premium. Wake up...the city is struggling and it's your union that will continue to hurt us. And, let's face it, in the end, we'll end up paying more to ride Septa -- so you're taking the money out of our pocket. No public sympathy for you.

[michellereducf]

I'll leave sunny Florida for crappy Philly to make $52k driving a bus. I say just get rid of them. Unions serve no purpose but to cripple businesses and consumers.

[hockeymom441]

Philly's disgusting public transit system is such a dump, it's a wonder anyone actually pays to use it. These workers are a perfect example of how unions have gone too far and are literally breaking cities.

Purposely doing this in the middle of the night was so disruptive. Doctors and nurses were hours late this AM. I wonder how these workers will feel when they find out people actually died over this.

I know about 10 people who would love these jobs. Fire them.

Philly is on a fast track to be the next Detroit.. fastest shrinking city in the US

The average SEPTA worker makes $52000/year! Wow, $52000/year to drive a bus! They want a raise? Ridiculus! Fire them all. Hire and train new workers. Just another reason to get rid of the unions who are contributing to the economic disaster in this country.

[Mz_H]

Given the current climate where people are being laid off on a daily basis; having difficulty finding jobs; and, struggling just to make ends meet, the SEPTA Transit workers decide to go on strike in the wee hours of the morning inconveniencing the masses. The average SEPTA worker makes $52,000 which is more than the average teacher or worker makes and they feel they have the right to complain. They contribute a paltry 1% towards their heathcare benefits, where the average worker contributes far more on less. What a GREEDY, SELFISH bunch of individuals. This city is in dire need of COMPETITION to put an end to the constant whine of the SEPTA workers. SEPTA management and the CITY really need to bypass the SEPTA union and hire some of those qualified, out of work people, who would be more than happy to make $52,000 and contribute 1% towards their healthcare benefits and receive a pension to boot. This would put an end to the stranglehold that SEPTA has on this city. Every few years we have to deal with this madness. I am disgusted with all of them. I stood waiting for a train this morning close to 2 hours because 4 trains went by without stopping because they were too full. This is OUTRAGEOUS and should NOT be acceptable! Fire all of those that don't want to work and hire people that do!!!!

[wren1010]

I couldn't agree more with this comment. How true it is in every sense. I look back and think of my poor, dear, misguided parents, always telling me I had to get a good education and work hard. As a result, I would be successful man. What they should have said was, "skip school; drive a bus." I am outraged. Not only did they strike without notice, but on Election Day, impeding the ability of the voter to get to the polls and thus, our democratic process. Is this strike legal? If so, it shouldn't be so ever again.

[endurorob_5]

An average of $52,000 a year to drive bus and they only pay 1% for their health care. The economy is in a mess, unemployment continues to rise, people are losing their houses, noone has extra money to spend and these people go on strike. Aren't unions wonderful.

[Ms_enza]

The ONLY people surprised by this strike are the media... Primarily because they have long ago stopped reporting the news...