Coronavirus Latest: 2 SEPTA Employees Have Died From COVID-19, Union Leader Says
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Two SEPTA employees have died from COVID-19, TWU Local 234 President Willie Brown confirmed to Eyewitness News. The latest employee who passed away from the virus is Phillip Williams, from the Southern Depot.
"He was a quiet, humble man. He was well-liked by all his co-workers. The members at Southern Depot are all very upset. We have raised concerns about a lack of equipment like face masks to protect us from the highly contagious virus. We public employees who have put ourselves in harm's way for the greater good of our City and our society," cashier Michael Bente said.
Brown says Theodore Nixon, who worked out of the Elmwood Trolly Depot, died last week.
Brown says there are currently 46 confirmed positive cases within the SEPTA union.
Coronavirus Latest: What You Need To Know And Staying Connected
Brown added the union's count of 46 comes from members who have called and informed them.
They are working on an honor system to keep their records.
SEPTA has confirmed Williams' death.
SEPTA has ordered masks for its frontline employees.
"As of yesterday, SEPTA has started issuing masks to our frontline employees at their work locations in order to stay in accordance with the latest CDC guidelines. We are asking all essential personnel and public facing employees to wear masks or other facial coverings in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We continue to source vendors and availability for sufficient supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to meet the current needs - as well ensuring the continuous availability of these items to sustain the demand for the length of the pandemic," SEPTA said in a statement.
