SEPTA Transit Police Walk The Picket Line
By Jim Melwert and Anne-Marie Green
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- SEPTA Transit police officers are walking the picket line Thursday morning, and there are no plans for any new talks between the two sides.
The union walked out Wednesday afternoon after SEPTA offered 15-cents an hour for ongoing police certification courses. The union had asked for 50-cents, and called SEPTA"s offer a slap in the face.
Fraternal Order of Transit Police, Local 30 President Richard Neal says they have not heard from SEPTA since they walked out.
"It's kind of shocking that we didn't, but it's the nature of this business. We're willing to meet anytime, any place, anywhere to resolve these issues," Neal explained.
Neal says they are talking with Congressman Bob Brady who he hopes can help bring the two sides back to the table.
Without the transit cops, SEPTA says they'll patrol with a private security firm and non-union supervisors. Philadelphia police will assist along the subway and the El in the afternoons when schools let out and during evening rush hour.
