(The following story by Kitty Caparella appeared on the Philadelphia Daily News website on March 16, 2009.)
PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA’s buses, subways, trolleys and trains keep rolling, even though the union contract for 4,700 city operators and mechanics expired at 12:01 a.m. yesterday.
Willie Brown, president of Transport Workers Union Local 234, doesn’t want to make it any rougher for the riding public – especially for students, businesses and those looking for work.
His no-strike policy will continue “as long as we get there,” said Brown.
Both sides last negotiated for a contract in the City Transit Division on Saturday. The next round of talks is scheduled for tomorrow at the Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel, 17th and Race streets.
Both sides remain far apart on wages, benefits and subcontracting.