(The following story by Tina Moore appeared on the Philadelphia Daily News website on June 13.)
PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA and its largest union will be back in negotiations today as a contract deadline quickly approaches, officials from both sides said yesterday. The contract between the transportation authority and Transportation Workers Union Local 234 – the system’s operators, mechanics and cashiers – expires at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Two months ago, the two sides avoided a strike with a 60-day extension. No additional extension had been agreed upon as of yesterday, SEPTA spokesman Jim Whitaker said.
An estimated 700,000 daily passengers who use bus, subway and trolley service in Philadelphia and four suburban counties would be affected by a strike. The 13-line Regional Rail system, which is operated by a different union, would not be affected by any work stoppage by Local 234. “I’m beginning to hear a little anxiety from people who are dependent on SEPTA,” said Marc Stier of the Philadelphia Transit Campaign.