Midnight strike

After six days, the SEPTA strike ended just as it began – in an abrupt overnight decision.

In its third strike in just more than a decade, the approximately 5,000 members of the city’s Transportation Workers Union Local 234 halted work last week and with it, nearly all of the city’s trolley, subway and bus lines.

Today marks one week since the largely unanticipated move took effect at 3 a.m. Nov. 3, exposing deep and bitter rifts between SEPTA management and TWA members over workers’ contracts.

They reached a tentative agreement early Monday and went back to work for the morning commute.

Mayor Nutter’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the resolution.

Many Philadelphians were unprepared last Tuesday morning when they woke to learn most public transportation lines would not be running, forcing them to rapidly make other arrangements for their morning commutes. Although Regional Rail lines remained in operation, SEPTA reported widespread overcrowding and delays.

The union’s tactics and apparent lack of cooperation had those at City Hall livid.

“It’s very disappointing that the union leadership would walk away from negotiations at a time when other Philadelphians are losing their jobs … taking pay cuts, taking furlough days and worrying about losing their pensions,” Luke Butler, a spokesman for Mayor Nutter, said shortly after the strike began.

“To inconvenience their fellow Philadelphians, who are trying to get to work or get around the city, in such a way is, frankly, outrageous,” he added.

Butler said the city offered what it considered to be a “very fair” package Nov. 2. While wages would not be increased this year, the contract included a $1,250 signing bonus for all TWU members. Annual raises, meanwhile, would have resumed next year, ultimately amounting to an 11 percent increase over the contract’s five-year duration.

The average SEPTA worker earns $52,000 annually, according to an Associated Press report. The report did not, however, offer a figure on annual TWU members’ salaries, as opposed to non-union workers.

The deal provided for increased pension spending, although it would have had workers increase their contributions to the fund. All this would have taken place without any increase in healthcare charges, which currently account for 1 percent of each member’s salary.

But TWU President Willie Brown apparently found these terms unacceptable. The strike began three hours after he walked out on contract negotiations. Those hoping for a quick resolution lost an ally Sunday, with Gov. Ed Rendell stepping out of negotiations to return to Harrisburg.

An anti-strike rally on Market Street just east of City Hall, drew half a dozen protesters Sunday, all angered over Brown’s tactics.

Protester Till Alaya said the stirke caused her commute to work to last more than an hour a day, and noted that many more may have attended the demonstration had transportation been available. She urged passersby to write a message to TWU leadership on a poster.

Most comments were inflammatory and some explicit. One read, “Be glad you have a job,” and another, “You can be replaced by the unemployed.”

Chris Galanti, a 2004 Temple graduate and protester, was somewhat less infuriated.

“I’ve lived in Philly for a while,” he said. “I’m used to strikes.”

Another demonstrator, blogger and graphic designer Larry West, 24, said the union was well within its rights to strike, but thought the decision was unwise on its part.

West blamed Brown for the strike. He accused Brown of “holding the city hostage,” and held a handwritten sign reading, “I’m not anti-union – I’m anti-Willie Brown!”

“They’ve been working without a contract for some months, and I sympathize with that,” West said. “But [Brown] waits until the World Series to threaten a strike. Now he’s trying to pressure the city to get the deal he wants.”

Unlike many others, West admitted that he would rather see the strike go on than Brown rewarded with an unfair deal, calling him a bully.

“I think they got a very generous offer, especially with the recession, when unemployment is over 10 percent,” he said.

West is not alone in his sentiments. During a time of drastically decreased revenue for the city, SEPTA officials said, the contract’s terms were exceptionally generous. But TWU leadership addressed this assertion in a newsletter to members last month, pointing out that increased ridership raised fare revenue by 30 percent. After taking state funding and federal stimulus money into account, the union argued, the city could afford wage increases.

Also of great concern to the union was SEPTA’s disregard of “picking rights” – the ability of workers to choose what equipment they work with based on seniority. Additionally, a TWU newsletter sent out to its members last month cited “discrimination” against union workers. Union leadership did not respond to requests to elaborate on that allegation.

A temporary deal brokered early Monday morning put workers back on the job. The contract is expected to pass an at-large vote next week, with the city allowing the union to reopen negotiations on health insurance payments in the future if President Obama’s healthcare bill passes the Senate.

For Thomas Davis, a union representative at Fern Rock Transportation center, pension funding is a major issue.

“We’re getting an 11 percent raise over the next five years, but we’ll also have to pay 2 1/2 percent more on our pensions each year,” Davis said. “Suddenly, the 11 percent starts to look like a lot less.”

Davis also pointed out that, unlike SEPTA management, which has 90 percent of pension contributions matched, workers only receive 50 percent.

Davis and the other picketers at Fern Rock expressed mistrust of City Hall, which is juggling contract negotiations with several other unions. They want the budget to be independently audited by a third-party firm.

Regardless of tensions that may continue, Samantha Salley, a sophomore psychology major, was glad to hear the strike ended Monday.

“It’ll be so much easier getting around the city now,” she said. “I don’t have anything against unions, but striking seemed a bit extreme.”

At six days, the strike did not last as long as its two predecessors – a 1998 strike lasted 40 days, and one in 2005 lasted a week.

Don Hoegg can be reached at donald.hoegg@temple.edu.

As government steps up, SEPTA stays still

SEPTA remains an unreliable city fixture even after ending its strike after less than a week.

On again, off again – the soap opera of the SEPTA strike had our city in a traffic-congested frenzy. Our Center City streets, laid out in a day when the horse and buggy combo were the main means of travel, resembled something of a military stalemate come 5 p.m. – and for days, no one was budging.

Surprisingly enough, our governmental institutions reacted appropriately, working around the clock to ensure a swift end to this bitter strike, which ended 12 a.m. Monday morning.

So if our government functioned at its highest potential, at who could we angry Temple students and Philadelphians, robbed of our World Series title and left sitting on the curb at neglected bus stops for six days, direct our dismay?

For those of you not keeping track, the latest strike was the ninth time SEPTA workers took up picket signs since 1975. That averages out to approximately one strike every four years. So even though it may seem fruitless, someone should have stepped up and skewered SEPTA workers along with their Local Transporters Union 234 leader Willie Brown, the self-proclaimed “most hated man in Philadelphia,” for the disarray they caused during the past week.

Call me a scab if you want, but I stand incredulous as to how this type of reprehensible union strong-arming of our city was permitted. Granted, SEPTA’s service is an invaluable commodity in Philadelphia, the withdrawal of which has crippling effects on our infrastructure. But we as a city have to draw the line somewhere.

After all, TWU Local 234 rejected a deal drawn up by Gov. Rendell and Mayor Nutter that was scrimped and squeezed from Philly’s budget, even though funds are undoubtedly tight. In fact, Gov. Rendell went as far as to call the deal “sensational,” especially in a recession, adding that “the union leadership walked on a victory last night. They just didn’t know when to declare victory.”

As a liberal Democrat who comes from a long line of working class union members, I still have to call foul on SEPTA’s employees for not accepting a completely reasonable deal from a city being crushed under heaps of debt in the current economic downturn earlier than the stroke of midnight Monday morning. It may indeed be time to de-unionize such vital organizations or at least refrain from giving in to their outrageous, hard-line demands.

Senior public relations major Katie Crandley, a daily SEPTA user, shared my discontent.

“The strike has definitely made my morning commute far more difficult. I can’t wait until the thing is resolved, to say the least,” she said during the strike.

It appears, though, there is another entit y to receive its due commendation as well, because when asked how she was currently getting to campus Crandley responded “the shuttle.”

Indeed, Temple enacted a comprehensive plan to lessen the transportation burden on its students and faculty by introducing reduced parking rates that encourage car pooling, as well as a litany of additional shuttle routes and stops – all serving to replace shutdown transit lines.

It’s reassuring to know that even when the city’s infrastructure was cracking and crumbling on account of some bad eggs, we could still put what modicum of trust we have left in city government, and even in Temple. And you know what? Don’t be afraid to restore your confidence in the Phillies next season, as well.

Chase Miller can be reached at chase.miller@temple.edu.

Smelling SEPTA

SEPTA union leaders have been inconsiderate of their city peers.

Philadelphians woke up for work and school last Tuesday morning to find they had no way to get there, as, in an underhanded manner, members of SEPTA’s Transport Workers Union 234, announced at midnight that they would officially walk off the job in three hours.

Unions, the entities created to protect the rights and welfare of employees, aren’t the problem – as long as they don’t abuse their power. TWU 234, however, hasn’t done the best job of convincing Philadelphians they deserve what they demanded.The message SEPTA’s union leaders put forth loud and clear is that they don’t care about the everyday people of Philadelphia who constitute their ridership.

There have already been reports of SEPTA riders berating transit drivers, but riders should think twice before taking their anger out on SEPTA workers. Let’s not forget SEPTA employs non-union workers, helpless to union action. Likewise, while union workers benefited from their leaders’ negotiations – each worker will receive a $1,250 bonus derived from $7 million in state money – not every member agreed with the 3 a.m. wake-up call.

If anything, we should be disappointed in Gov. Rendell’s decision to pony up $7 million in state funding to quell union leaders’ requests, which came off as particularly selfish, especially when the nation’s unemployment rate stands at 10.2 percent and the average SEPTA employee earns $55,000 a year.

For the governor to put $7 million of much needed state money on the table – Temple’s $180 million state appropriation is still lingering in the Capitol as students face a possible spring tuition hike – seems reckless. Gov. Rendell may have helped to solve the city’s crisis, but he did so at the expense of many taxpayers whose income stands at $0. SEPTA workers certainly do not deserve additional compensation when so many other Pennsylvanians are suffering.

Gov. Rendell also pleaded for the strike to be postponed for the Phillies to play Game 5 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park. People paid hundreds – even thousands – of dollars for World Series tickets. Realistically, those who could afford tickets that high in price would probably spring for the $12 parking at the stadium, so holding off on the strike until the end of Game 5 made no sense.

When New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority went on strike Dec. 20, 2005, a judge slapped the union with a $1 million per day fine for walking off the job, pushing workers to call off the strike just two days later. Mayor Nutter and Gov. Rendell should have taken a lesson from them to end the senseless, selfish neglect of Philadelphians by SEPTA’s union members before it extended longer than a day.

SEPTA strike ends as it began

The SEPTA strike is officially over, having shut down transportation for six days throughout Philadelphia. Transit Workers Union 234 officials and SEPTA officials said they reached agreement on the contract.

It will include a 2 percent raise the second year, and three percent raises the three years after that. Union members’ contributions to their pension funds increased from 2 percent to 3 percent, and the ceiling for pension contributions per year went from $27,000 to $30,000.

Buses and subways are expected to be fully functioning for the Monday morning rush hour. At six days this strike is one day shorter than the 2005 SEPTA strike and 34 days shorter than a 1998 strike.

SEPTA strike affects students and employees alike

The lack of public transportation caused by the SEPTA strike that began early Tuesday morning is taking its toll on the Temple community.

“It’s the only way I can get to school unless I pay a taxi,” sophomore international business major Trisha Swed said. “I use it anywhere from two to six trips a day depending on my schedule.”

The strike is forcing students to find other means of transportation if they plan on being present in class.

“It costs me $15 just to get here, without even going home. Now I’m paying taxis and going completely broke until it’s over,” said Swed. “Hopefully it will be over soon.”

The strike is not only affecting students.

“It took me 25 minutes to ride 6.7 miles to school today, so if I sound a little froggy or look a little disheveled, that’s why,” said Assistant Professor Shenid Bhayroo, Ph.D. from the Department of Journalism jokingly to his class.

From students to teachers to administrative faculty, numerous people are being required to look towards alternative forms of transportation.

“I usually take the subway everywhere, so when I heard [about the strike] on the news this morning, I said ‘oh no, I’m going to have to walk’,” said Brian Basenfelder, a clerical employee in Temple’s undergraduate admissions office who is now being compelled to walk twice a day for a total of 80 minutes to get to and from work each day.

Despite the inconvenience, Temple University will hold all classes and events as scheduled, and employees are expected to arrive to work on time. However, departments are permitted to adjust schedule times in order to avoid peak transportation hours. Temple will also be providing reduced-rate parking and are encouraging its students and faculty to partake in carpooling.

The length of the strike is uncertain. SEPTA officials declined to comment on the issue.

“If the Phillies win the World Series, I think it will be settled,” Basenfelder predicted. “If not, I give it another week and a half.”
Grace Dickinson can be reached at grace.dickinson@temple.edu.

SEPTA strike squeezes South Philly, Center City students onto shuttle buses

A small crowd formed on the corner of South Broad Street and Washington Avenue as people waited for the promised Temple shuttle to pick them up. One dark gray car drove past with signs on his windows saying “Need a ride?” and people on bikes shouted to the crowd that SEPTA was on strike just in case the motley crew of students and employees had not heard the news.

When SEPTA declared its intention to strike late last night, many people were shocked. Some did not even hear of the strike till they saw the subway entrances blocked off with black metal bars.

“You wake up this morning and you hear they are on strike,” said Mary Hoang, a Temple law student. “No one was really prepared for it.”

SEPTA had threatened to strike during the World Series, but after the issue of health insurance was resolved, it seemed that a resolution was near.

At 3 a.m. Tuesday, 5,500 workers went on strike. The remaining unresolved issues in the negotiation dealt with pension plans, length of contract, and the workers’ rights to pick the equipment they work on based on their seniority. They announced the impending strike late Monday night.

Many Temple students did not realize that the strike started until the morning. The strike has created many problems for students who live off campus.

Andrew Kearney, a freshman broadcasting major, got a ride from his girlfriend’s father. Denise Zhang walked to campus from the Race Vice subway stop, while other students took taxis or got rides from friends.

“I’m not mad, it’s just definitely annoying,” said Gina Benigno, a senior broadcast journalism major.

On Oct. 2, William Bergman sent out an email on behalf of Temple that even if SEPTA decided to strike, Temple would remain open. Temple has provided additional services for those who live off campus.

Temple shuttle buses now run down Broad St picking up students who show their ID cards.

“What we found was that many people could find their way to Broad,” Bergman said. “We’ve done this with several other SEPTA strikes.”

Supervisor of Service Operations Mark Gottlieb, said there are seven separate buses that run approximately every half-hour during non-peak hours and every hour during peak hours.

“We plan on keeping these going for the duration of the strike,” Gottlieb said.

Many students relied on the shuttles to get to campus. Frank Lozzi, a junior business major took the shuttle from Broad and Snyder this morning. He normally takes the subway.

Hoang tried to take the shuttle this morning, but by the time the shuttle got to her stop at Broad and Arch streets, they were filled. Two buses passed the group waiting, so Hoang and three other students took a taxi.

“It’s nice that they do it, but there weren’t enough buses,” Hoang said.

Each bus holds 40 people, but many bus drivers allowed people to stand in the aisles so they did not have to wait for the next bus to come. One bus held nearly 70 people. All the passengers packed themselves close together to ensure that everyone could get on.

Bergman also stated that Temple has reduced parking rates for students driving into campus. The rates are even further reduced for those who car pool. Temple is currently developing a system for students who need a ride to campus.

Students post the area where they wish to be picked up and others can post offers for rides.

Temple has also added more security at the Regional Rail station.

These accommodations will remain in place till the strike ends.

“After a day without SEPTA, we’ve realized the value and the importance that people put on the SEPTA system,” Bergman said.
Rebecca Hale can be reached at rebecca.hale@temple.edu.

Nutter spokesman: SEPTA strike is “outrageous”

In their third strike in just over a decade, the approximately 5,000 members of the Transportation Workers Union Local 234 have halted work and, with it, nearly all of the city’s trolleys, subways and most buses.

The largely unanticipated move took effect at 3 a.m. Tuesday, exposing deep and bitter rifts between SEPTA management and TWA members over the workers’ contracts. Many Philadelphians were unprepared Tuesday morning when they awoke to learn that the public transportation they rely upon would not be running, forcing them to rapidly make other arrangements for the morning commute to work. Although Regional Rail lines are still operating, SEPTA reported widespread overcrowding and delays throughout the day.

“It’s very disappointing that the Union leadership would walk away from negotiations at a time when other Philadelphians are losing their jobs … taking pay cuts, taking furlough days and worrying about losing their pensions,” Luke Butler, a spokesman for Mayor Michael Nutter, said in a interview with The Temple News.

“To inconvenience their fellow Philadelphians, who are trying to get to work or get around the city, in such a way is, frankly, outrageous,” he added.

Butler said the city had offered Monday night what it considered to be a very fair package: While wages would not be increased this year, the contract included a $1200 signing bonus for all TWA members. Annual raises, meanwhile, would have resumed the following year, ultimately amounting to an 11 percent increase over the five-year duration of the contract. The deal also provided for increased pension funding, all without any increase in healthcare charges.

During a time of drastically decreased revenue for the city, SEPTA claimed, these terms were exceptionally generous. But TWU leadership addressed this assertion in a newsletter to its members last month, pointing out that increased ridership has raised fare revenue by 30 percent. After taking state funding and federal stimulus money into account, they argued, the city could afford the wage increases.

Also of great concern to the union is SEPTA’s disregard of “picking rights”- the ability of workers being able to choose what equipment they worked with based on seniority. Additionally, a TWU newsletter sent out to its members last month cited “discrimination” against union workers, but the union leadership did not respond to requests to elaborate on that allegation.
Don Hoegg can be reached at donald.hoegg@temple.edu.

TTN Video: SEPTA strike hits the brakes on Philadelphia

Video by Joshua Fleury, Matthew Petrillo and Sartaj Phanda

Edited by Joshua Fleury and Sartaj Phanda

Reporting by Matthew Petrillo