SEPTA Workers Take Strike Authorization Vote On Sunday
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With its contract about to expire at the end of October, the union representing SEPTA bus drivers, subway and trolley operators is going to take a strike authorization vote, on Sunday.
Transport Workers Union Local 234 President Willie Brown said if his members say "yes" to a strike, it will begin on November 1st.
There are implications for the November 8th Presidential election. He said they're "not looking for a day-by-day extension" and they're "not interested in working without a contract."
Brown said the outstanding issue centers on "addressing pension plan inequities between managers and front line workers."
Negotiators for the transit agency and the union have been talking since mid-July.
SEPTA put out a statement that reads in part, "taking a strike vote in advance of contract expiration is not out of the ordinary."
If the TWU strikes, all city bus and trolley routes, the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines, and frontier bus routes would be shut down. Only Regional Rail would operate, because its employees are represented by a different union.
The last time Transport workers walked was a six day strike in 2009. That job action began on election day. The TWU represents more than 5700 workers.
