SEPTA union says no strike at least until the weekend

Holly Otterbein

October 27, 2014

Zombie Thriller Dance Off winners Erik and Erika Coley with their little zombie Ryder. (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
Zombies took over Cotton Street lurching out with eerie dance moves for a chance to win a $100 cash prize.(Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
(Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
Christa Campbell from Merge Dance Studio teaching kids the moves to Michael Jackson's hit 'Thriller.' (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
The Bolding Brothers duo performing simple, sweet harmonies in Pretzel Park. (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
The Pretzel Park Farmers Market offered fresh and seasonal produce. (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
Zombie buddies on their way to McGillicuddy's (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
Fairy Regan Riley says her favorite part of Halloween in Manayunk is getting candy. (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
Superheroes Cloe and Germaine Lewis strike a pose while trick-or-treating on Main Street. (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
(Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
This year's flea market selection had some one-of-a-kind eclectic collection of items (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)
Philadelphia Flea Market spread along Main Street from Rector to Lock streets. (Natavan Werbock/for NewsWorks)

SEPTA’s bus, subway and trolley operators could go on strike as soon as this weekend.

Transport Workers Local 234 president Willie Brown said at a news conference that Saturday is the earliest his members would hypothetically walk off the job, although Monday would be a more likely start date. He said he would give riders 24-hour notice if members were going to strike.

Brown stressed that he is hoping to avoid a strike and reach an agreement with SEPTA management. His members, who have been working under expired contract terms since March and April, voted Sunday to authorize a strike.

“When we strike over issues, it’s not we want to strike,” he said. “We have to strike.”

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Pensions are a major sticking point between SEPTA management and Local 234. Brown said the current retirement benefits are “not equitable at all.”

“Our members put three times as much into the pension as management,” said Brown. “Management gets three times as much out as our members.”

Local 234 members contribute 3.5 percent of their pay before overtime to the pension fund.

Brown would not say what the chances are his union will be on strike on Election Day on Nov. 4. However, he said management and workers are currently as far apart as “California and Pennsylvania.”

SEPTA spokeswoman Jerri Williams issued a brief statement following the union’s news conference: “SEPTA is pleased that TWU 234 has agreed to provide our riders 24-hours notice if they decide to strike. We, however, hope we can continue bargaining.”

Williams also said the union’s current pension contributions were all negotiated under previous contracts.

Labor negotiations are set to resume Tuesday.