SEPTA guide prepares commuters for possible strike

As negotiations continued today between SEPTA and the union representing Philadelphia bus drivers, subway and trolley operators and mechanics, the transit agency told its riders to get ready for a strike.

Transport Workers Local 234, SEPTA's largest union, says its members will walk off the job if an agreement for a new contract is not reached by week's end.

All bus, subway and trolley service in the city would be halted by a strike. Frontier Division buses in Bucks, Montgomery and Chester counties would not run.

Regional Rail trains, whose crews are covered by separate contracts, would continue to operate.

Those trains will be even more crowded than usual.

"Regional Rail customers are advised to purchase tickets well in advance of their trips, as Regional Rail service will see an influx of thousands of riders," SEPTA said in a statement.

In addition to the trains, SEPTA said these routes would continue to operate during a strike:

- Victory Division buses in Delaware County, most operating out of the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby.

- Route 101 and 102 trolley lines and the Norristown High Speed Line.

- "LUCY" buses in West Philadelphia between 30th Street Station and University City destinations.

- Paratransit service.

Negotiators for the union and SEPTA met today at the Holiday Inn in Old City, as they have for the past three days. SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney said the two sides were making progress on non-economic issues.

Local 234 represents about 5,500 bus drivers, subway and trolley operators and mechanics, who have been without a contract since early spring.

According to TWU officials, SEPTA management has proposed no wage increase for the first two years of a four-year contract and a 2 percent increase in each of the final two years. It also wants to increase worker contributions to health coverage from 1 percent to 4 percent and freeze the level of pension benefits.

The union wants a 4 percent raise each year and health contributions to remain 1 percent. It is also seeking an increase in pension contributions from $75 to $100 for every year of service.

The TWU also is seeking changes in subcontracting and training provisions to allow members to do maintenance and repair work on buses and trolleys now done by outside contractors.

SEPTA bus, subway, and trolley operators earn from $14.54 to $24.24 an hour, reaching the top rate after four years. Mechanics earn $14.40 to $27.59 an hour.

SEPTA said it will post strike-related information at www.septa.org/strike.

If there is a strike, the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association said it plans to provide shuttle buses to get hotel employees to work.

One shuttle route would run along Market Street from 69th Street terminal to City Hall. Another would run along Broad Street from Cheltenham Avenue to Pattison Avenue. For more information contact the hotel association at 215-557-1900.