SEPTA continues talks to avert strike, allowing 55K Philly students to have transportation to school

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Tens of thousands of students were relieved Friday after the SEPTA workers union decided not to strike, which would have left 55,000 students and some staff without transportation to and from school.

The School District of Philadelphia was worried that transportation would be halted if the union didn’t reach a new contract agreement.

SEPTA is currently negotiating a new contract with the Transport Workers Union Local 234. The current contract expired on midnight Thursday, Nov. 7 and the union already voted to authorize a strike if a new contract agreement was not reached by then. The potential strike would affect Philadelphia students who commute on the City Bus & Metro Service, according to the district.

In a release, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said, “I respect the right of union members to advocate for themselves,” but expressed it would impact students’ learning.

“I do hope that this strike can be avoided so that we can continue to operate normally and support the social, emotional and academic needs of our students without disruption,” Watlington said.

Union leaders say bargaining will resume Friday afternoon, as the union looks for a raise and more security measures on the job.

All SEPTA services will continue to operate on normal schedules.

The district planned to send office support staff to make up for schools that had low staffing, and in the event of an extremely low student or staff turnout, planned to use virtual instruction.

Union leaders vowed to hit the picket lines if demands were not met.

WHYY News reached out to the district Friday morning to inquire if it has a similar plan for next week in case the union members do stop work in protest.