Pa. state rep seeks to ban SEPTA workers from striking

A state lawmaker has introduced legislation that would prohibit SEPTA workers from striking.

A Montgomery County lawmaker has introduced legislation in Harrisburg that would prevent SEPTA workers from going on strike.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Kate Harper (R) has introduced a bill that would add SEPTA’s workers to the list of public employees, including police, who are not permitted to go on strike during labor disputes. Nearly 5,000 SEPTA workers, including bus drivers, have been working without a contract since 12:01 a.m. March 15.

“I believe that SEPTA is essential to the functioning of the southeastern Pennsylvania region,” Harper said, according to KYW Newsradio.

Harper introduced a similar bill in the Pennsylvania House in 2009.

Transit Workers Union Local 234 represents 4,700 of SEPTA’s bus drivers, trolley and subway operators and maintenance workers in Philadelphia. It is continuing negotiations for a new contract after its most recent expired over the weekend.