Politics & Government

SEPTA Goes On Strike As Negotiations Fail

Just one week before Election Day, the SEPTA workers union has gone on strike.

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It's official: SEPTA union workers have gone on strike. SEPTA and the workers union failed to reach an agreement before the deadline at midnight on Monday. All bus, subway, and trolley service has been halted. Only the Regional Rail continues.

The Transport Workers Union Local 234 is asking for better pay and benefits, better pensions, and better working conditions, specifically citing bus drivers who are asked to work too many overnight shifts.

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There is grave concern that the strike could impact the results of Election Day and prevent people from reaching their polling places, especially within the city of Philadelphia. The city has long been a Democratic stronghold and reduced voter turnout in the city would strongly favor Donald Trump and the Republican ticket in Pennsylvania.

SEPTA prepared for the looming quagmire by issuing a service interruption plan last week. In the case of a strike, the Regional Rail would be the only service operational within the city. Buses, trolleys, and the subway system will all be offline.

Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

12:25 p.m.

Negotiations will continue through the night, according to a statement from TWU president Willie Brown, but it is doubtful that a resolution will be reached soon.

12:19 p.m.

Regional Rail is the only service running within the city of Philadelphia. Riders are urged by SEPTA to prepare for "very crowded trains and travel inconveniences...As our daily Regional Rail riders know, service is already operating at near capacity."

In addition to Regional Rail, the following routes will continue to run. Click on each service for detailed schedules.

12:09 p.m.

After hours of tense negotiations leading up to the midnight deadline, SEPTA and TWU 234 were unable to reach an agreement, SEPTA confirmed. All bus, subway, and trolley service has been immediately halted, although SEPTA and union workers said in separate statements that drivers had been encouraged to finish their routes if they were currently working.

12:04 p.m.

Numerous media outlets are reporting that SEPTA has gone on strike. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

11:54 p.m.

With just minutes to go until the midnight deadline, no official word on the strike has been issued by either SEPTA or the union. At 11:51 p.m., SEPTA said on Twitter that "Unfortunately we may not know until midnight. It lies in the hands of the TWU if an agreement is reached between now and then."

11:28 p.m.

Directly contradicting a statement issued by SEPTA less than an hour ago, a representative from TWU has told NBC Philadelphia that "things are not as rosy as SEPTA presents."

11:21 p.m.

There is renewed concern that a SEPTA strike could potentially impact the presidential election. Although Hillary Clinton currently holds a five point lead in Pennsylvania according to an average of the most recent polls from RealClearPolitics, it remains within the margin of error. Pennsylvania is a vital battleground state in the election and has been described as a "bellweather" for the nation as a whole. A key for Clinton and other Democrats on the ticket is Philadelphia, historically a liberal stronghold. TWU, which has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, has said that they would not suspend the strike for Election Day, in the event that the stalemate continues into next week.

11:13 p.m.

SEPTA issued a statement just before 11 p.m. Monday night indicating that talks thus far had been productive. "Progress has been reported in the talks, and both parties have agreed to continue negotiations in an effort to reach an agreement that is fair to employees, customers, and the taxpayers."

10:57 p.m.

According toKYW News Radio reporter Pat Loeb, contract talks were "optimistic" late Monday night, and it appeared that there was a chance that the strike could be averted.

Details on negotiations, or possible sticking points, remain unknown at this time.

8:20 p.m.

Pennsylvania State Representative John Taylor, the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, issued a statement earlier Monday urging the two sides to come together. "I have asked SEPTA management union representatives to talk into Monday to avoid a strike that could shut down subways, buses, and trolleys on Tuesday."

8:07 p.m.

Negotiations continued between SEPTA and the TWU Local 234 Monday night as the midnight deadline for the strike approached.

As late as 8:07 p.m., SEPTA said on one of their Twitter accounts that they remained hopeful that the strike could be averted.

According to multiple media reports, riders who are on a SEPTA bus, trolley, or train at midnight may be asked to get off in case of a strike.

4:05 p.m.

Numerous other organizations, including hospitals, schools, and city and suburban agencies have prepared for the strike by issuing their own action plans.

William R. Hite, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, said that Philadelphia city schools and offices will remain open with unaltered hours in case of a strike.

"Students who normally use SEPTA, and are unable to attend school

due to lack of transportation, will be marked excused absence," Hite said. "Additionally, students who do not arrive on time, will not be marked late unless the Principal determines that the lateness is not due to the SEPTA strike."

Hite added that in the event of a longer strike, these policies would be reevaluated.

Numerous officials have urged two sides to continue good faith negotiations up until the deadline. Talks stalled late last week but continued in earnest on Sunday. For weeks now, leaders have pressed the two sides to come to an agreement.

"I continue to watch with concern the ongoing negotiations between SEPTA and TWU Local 234 toward a new contract," Mayor Jim Kenney said last week. "Any work stoppage would have an adverse effect on tens of thousands of commuters who rely on the buses, trolleys and subways to get to and from work and school – many of whom have no other affordable transportation options. I urge both sides to stay at the table and hammer out a resolution to their differences.”

TWU has planned picket lines for Tuesday afternoon at SEPTA Headquarters, which are located on 1234 Market Street, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event will not occur if a settlement is reached, but organizers seemed confident that a strike was inevitable, calling Tuesday "the first day of the strike."

"The power a union has to deliver good wages and benefits is not something that we should resent," organizers of the event said. "If only we all had unions that fought for our benefits and were able to deliver the way TWU has."

For further details about SEPTA's contingency plan, see here.

Patch file photo.

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