Thousands of transit workers could strike – shutting down nearly all public transportation in Philadelphia – early Friday morning if no deal is reached between their union and SEPTA in the coming hours.
Transport Workers Local 234’s City Transit Division contract, which covers more than 4,300 drivers, mechanics and maintenance employees, expires at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, and members voted 10 days ago to authorize a strike over pay and safety issues.
A walkout would halt service on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines and all city bus and trolley routes. Regional Rail would continue to operate.
School District of Philadelphia leaders said the strike would impact more than 50,000 students who rely on SEPTA to get to class. Some schools could switch to virtual instruction if attendance falls dramatically, and district officials said late arriving students and staff would be excused.
Union representatives said earlier this week that SEPTA has offered a one-year contract with no salary increases. Local 234 has also been pushing for enhanced security measures, such as the installation of bulletproof shields to protect bus drivers and the deployment of additional law enforcement on vehicles.
SEPTA officials have said the authority’s financial crisis is impacting negotiations. Its budget shortfall is projected at $153 million for the current year and could rise to $240 million next year. Hopes for a funding solution from Harrisburg have dimmed in recent weeks.
“If SEPTA wasn’t a company that could find money for things that they prioritize, they can find money for us,” Local 234 President Brian Pollitt said following the Oct. 27 strike authorization vote.
Bus routes that cross from the suburbs into the city would be subject to detours as a result of a work stoppage. A full list is available at septa.org.
Authority leaders said SEPTA’s customer service call center (215-580-7800) would open for extended hours in the event of a strike.
