SEPTA workers could strike as soon as Friday | Here is the potential impact for Philadelphia riders

By6abc Digital Staff and Leland Pinder

Thursday, November 7, 2024

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Time is running out for SEPTA to reach a new contract deal with its union workers.

Members of Transport Workers Union Local 234 could hit the picket line as soon as Friday if no deal is reached by then.

They voted last month to authorize a strike.

SEPTA said Wednesday that it expects negotiations to continue through Thursday.

The contract expires at 11:59 p.m. Thursday. SEPTA said it is not yet definite that the union will strike, saying that the decision will be up to union leaders.

SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said that if the union does call a strike, it would shut down all bus, trolley, and subway/EL services within the City of Philadelphia.

"That core part of the network that covers all of Philadelphia would be out of service," said Busch.

Regional Rail would run into the city as normal, and the suburban transit services -- buses, Routes 101 and 102 trolleys, Norristown High-Speed Line -- would operate.

SEPTA has released a guide with travel times for riders in the event of a strike. That guide is posted here at SEPTA.org.

After the strike authorization vote last month, union representatives said they are fighting for more pay and improved safety and security.

"Safety and security for my members and the riding public," said Local 234 President Brian Pollitt. "And we're looking for economic justice."

Members of the union said in October that ongoing violence around the city is becoming a major problem for them.

"Seems as though we are not as important as they like to say we are because if they were, safety would be paramount," Andre Jones Sr., vice president of TWU Local 234, said at the time.

Pollitt added that the union needs extra precautions to ensure members' safety.

"We even recommended that they even have the National Guard come down because it's gotten that bad," he noted.

A SEPTA spokesperson said the transit agency is on board with the safety concerns.

"That's something I think we have a lot of common ground with the union on," Busch said.

However, he also explained that more pay would be difficult as SEPTA faces a fiscal crisis amid the expiration of COVID-19 relief funds.

"That's really impacting our ability to really get into some of the economic issues around this contract," Busch noted.

Residents around the city told Action News that for those who rely on SEPTA daily, the possibility of a strike is worrying.

"It'll be a major inconvenience, not just for me but for everybody," said Tonya Green, a West Philadelphia resident who rides SEPTA nearly every day. "It is a vital way for me and others to commute."

School District of Philadelphia planning for possible SEPTA strike

The School District of Philadelphia said it is making plans in the event a SEPTA strike starts Friday.

A strike would impact 55,000 students who commute on city bus and metro services, officials said.

The district released the following list of considerations in the event of a strike:

The District is closely monitoring staffing levels and will deploy Central Office staffing support, as needed.

In cases where student or staff attendance is dramatically affected by the strike, the District may recommend that a school move to virtual instruction.

In such a case, District and school leadership will ensure that all students, including and especially those with special needs, are equipped with the digital and physical materials they need to participate in virtual learning. Teachers will not deliver in-person and virtual instruction at the same time.

Students who are late or absent due to SEPTA-related travel challenges will not be marked late, or will be excused upon receipt of a note from the parent or guardian.