Negotiations between SEPTA and union getting tense

Philadelphia’s bus, trolley, and subway operators are continuing to work without a new contract. Transport Workers Union Local 234 met with SEPTA over the weekend just before the contract deadline.

Philadelphia’s bus, trolley, and subway operators are continuing to work without a new contract.  Transport Workers Union Local 234 met with SEPTA over the weekend just before the contract deadline.

Transcript:
Local 234 President Willie Brown says there was more tension than in past sessions during the latest negotiation over the union’s offer.

Brown: “We were told that they would not give us a counteroffer until they came closer to where they want us to be, which as of this point, no one has told us where we need to be.”

According to Brown, SEPTA has offered a four-year contract with no raise for two years, and a 2 percent raise for the third and fourth year.  The union has been seeking raises of between 3 and 5 percent over a four-year deal.

SEPTA officials say the two sides are making progress while acknowledging they’re still far apart on the numbers.

Brown also says SEPTA has so far been unwilling to negotiate an increase in pension contributions, and using union workers for repair jobs instead of contract workers.