Philly transit agency, union resuming talks Sunday

Another day of contract negotiations has wrapped between Philadelphia’s transit system and the union representing thousands of workers.

Officials from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and Transport Workers Union Local 234 met Friday for about seven hours and wrapped up without reaching an agreement.

Talks are scheduled to resume on Sunday.

Contracts covering three SEPTA divisions expired within the past three weeks. However, union officials ruled out a strike before the expiration of a fourth contract Sunday.

After informal talks Thursday evening, both sides said a possible two-year deal is on the table.

Union president Willie Brown called it the most productive meeting since talks began, and said negotiators are “close.”

SEPTA is the nation’s sixth-largest transit operator, with an annual ridership of about 337 million.