SEPTA union authorizes strike, but no work stoppage expected Monday

Union workers for SEPTA’s bus, subway and trolley system voted Sunday to authorize their leaders to call a strike.

But no walkout is planned for Monday’s morning rush hour.

 

Willie Brown, president of Local 234 of the Transit Workers union, called a strike all but inevitable and said he would update the news media on the situation at 4 p.m. Monday.

Local 234 said about 1,500 members turned out for the  vote, and approval of strike authorization was unanimous.

The local represents about 4,700 bus drivers, subway and trolley operators, and maintenance workers at SEPTA. They’ve been working under an expired contract at the transit agency since March of this year.  Local 234 is the largest of the 17 unions with which SEPTA bargains. It last went on strike in 2009.

WHYY/NewsWorks partner NBC10 reported that SEPTA spokeswoman Jerri Williams insists a strike does not seem imminent. She says the two sides have continued to negotiate, with pension fund contributions a major sticking point.

Workers for the separate Regional Rail division reached an agreement with the transit agency earlier this month.