Philly Transit Strike

[OscarQ]

Strike shuts down Philly transit system a week from Election Day [Note last paragraph - injunction planned in case strike runs through next Tuesday]

Link:  www.cnn.com/2016/11/01/us/philadelphia-transit-strike/

Philadelphia public transport workers went on strike just past midnight Monday -- raising concerns over voting problems with Election Day just a week away.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, known as SEPTA, said the strike would affect all subway, buses and trolley routes in the city. About 800,000 people use the city's transit system daily, said Andrew Busch, a SEPTA spokesman.

SEPTA's Regional Rail commuter service, which covers a limited area, will be the only option for public transport in and around the city, the agency said.

In anticipation of the strike, SEPTA released a contingency plan that included additional Regional Rail trains. The more than 4,700 union members who are part of the strike work in the City Transit Division, SEPTA said.

Issues under negotiation between SEPTA and the Transit Workers Union Local 234 included pension reform, health care and wage improvements, the union said on its web site. The deadlock, though, appears to be over pension payments.


The Philadelphia Inquirer reported a visit from Democratic Pennsylvania Congressman Bob Brady couldn't avert the strike.

TWU Local 234 leader Willie Brown said talks will continue -- though the two sides are said to be far apart on the issues, CNN-affiliate WPVI reported.

The station reported that according to a source, the stumbling block is pensions. WPVI reported that transit management receives pension on full pay, while union workers get a pension on partial pay.
In a newsletter posted on its website, the union said: "Since negotiations broke down, the Union has been trying to get SEPTA back to the table to discuss economic issues, such as pension reform, health care and wage improvements."

"However SEPTA is refusing to present a reasonable economic package. Instead, they are opposed to any and all improvements in our pension, while pushing a hard line on health care concessions, including an inferior health care plan with the option of maintaining our current benefits, but at the cost of over $400 a month for family coverage," the union said.

SEPTA said union leader Brown "walked away from a contract offer that would have provided his members pay raises, enhanced pension benefits, maintained health care coverage levels and continued job security, while also remaining fair and affordable for the taxpayers and riders who fund SEPTA."

The union said some "issues involve contractual provisions the union wants enforced, but SEPTA managers think they can ignore the contract and do as they please."

The contract between the transit agency and TWU expired at midnight on Monday, SEPTA said.

Among other issues, TWU members said SEPTA's break policies for vehicle operators left them little time to use the bathroom between routes, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The newspaper also said that TWU members complained that the nine hours of down time wasn't enough, and forced them to drive vehicles while they were tired.

A union representative could not be reached early Tuesday.

SEPTA, in a statement, said it was "hopeful that a tentative agreement will be reached before Election Day."

"If we foresee an agreement will not come to pass, SEPTA intends to enjoin the strike for November 8 to ensure that the strike does not prevent any voters from getting to the polls and exercising their right to vote."

[OscarQ]

Also, as of the evening commute, the regional rails are experiencing disruptions/delays as there are picketers blocking access to regional rail facilities, preventing those rail workers from operating the trains.

My husband left work super early because he thought RR lines would be impacted and made it home.  I'm hopeful that by causing RR chaos too this will be resolved quickly.

Link:  6abc.com/traffic/septa-picketers-causing-regional-rail-disruptions/1577465/

[kicks]

They said they might put forth an injunction in order for septa to run on Election Day if the strike is still going.

I think the last strike a few years ago was 7 days?

Hopefully it all works out asap. I'm lucky I don't rely on public transport to get to work but I rely on it on my days off. I'm thankful that I have that option unlike many others.

[OscarQ]

Nov 1, 2016 16:31:17 GMT -5 kicks said:

They said they might put forth an injunction in order for septa to run on Election Day if the strike is still going.

I think the last strike a few years ago was 7 days?

Hopefully it all works out asap. I'm lucky I don't rely on public transport to get to work but I rely on it on my days off. I'm thankful that I have that option unlike many others.

Yes, injunction is the contingency plan and last one was six days so it may not be needed anyway.  Such a mess.  

H thought the strike wouldn't impact RR and I was all "Ha ha, you're so cute.  You have no idea how messy a SEPTA strike can be."  And really I had nothing concrete I could point to just vague memories until I found this that kind of summed it up (not an objective source):   www.phillymag.com/news/2014/03/05/septa-union-septa-strike-last-stop/
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[sfy]

I'm sorry, but they get on my nerves. Who doesn't pay $400 a month for health care? That's pretty damned common. And these fuckers have pensions and are still complaining. Now bus fare is going to be like $19.99. Go sit down somewhere.

[cookiemdough]

Did I read that right? They think $400 per month for a FAMILY plan is unreasonable? Or is it an increase of $400. Cause they are smoking something if is the former.

[cookiemdough]

I am really uncomfortable with the timing of this.

[JLV]

This is a damn pain in my ass. My train this morning was running 65 minutes late. I just waited an hour in line and finally got on a train.

[JLV]

And this shit better not continue until next Tuesday. It will cause a huge issue with voting.

[redheadbaker]

I worked from home today because I figured roads would be a mess. I just heard on the evening news that Center City (where I live) is in gridlock.

[redheadbaker]

Oh, and Trump was in the suburban city where I work today. He even stopped in the Wawa that I usually go to for lunch. Glad I missed that. Probably wouldn't have been able to stop myself from punching him in the balls.

[msmerymac]

We're acting like anyone SHOULD pay hundreds of dollars in premiums for an employer-sponsored health care plan. What else are unions for if not to collectively bargain for worker rights?

It's unfortunate they are trying to prevent regional rail from completing their route, since the conductors are governed by a separate contract.

[laurenpetro]

I heard they called in the buyers to collect tickets, lol. I'm sure that's going well.

[redheadbaker]

Nov 2, 2016 10:43:00 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

We're acting like anyone SHOULD pay hundreds of dollars in premiums for an employer-sponsored health care plan. What else are unions for if not to collectively bargain for worker rights?

It's unfortunate they are trying to prevent regional rail from completing their route, since the conductors are governed by a separate contract.

In an ideal world, no one would pay premiums for health care. But this isn't an ideal world. And it rubs me the wrong way that they're striking for having to pay way less in premiums than most others in this country. 

[auntie]

Hoping my son makes it home from Temple this afternoon because I don't want to have to go get him.

[sfy]

Nov 2, 2016 10:43:00 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

We're acting like anyone SHOULD pay hundreds of dollars in premiums for an employer-sponsored health care plan. What else are unions for if not to collectively bargain for worker rights?

It's unfortunate they are trying to prevent regional rail from completing their route, since the conductors are governed by a separate contract.

I'm not saying anyone should be paying it, but unfortunately, that's life.  It just seems like it never ends with SEPTA.  I remember when the fare was $.75 and transfers were either free or $.10 (can't recall).  Then $1.00 and $.25.  Then $1.25 and $.25.  Now we're at $2.25 and $1.00.  Obviously, some of this is inflation and obviously, it's not free to run a mass transit system, but SEPTA workers are paid more than a very fair wage, have average healthcare costs and a pension, and they're still bitching.  Every 3-4 years with this shit.  They have the city by the balls and they know it, and the timing of this stinks to high heaven.
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[sfy]

Nov 2, 2016 11:03:22 GMT -5 auntie said:

Hoping my son makes it home from Temple this afternoon because I don't want to have to go get him.

I hope so, too. 

My friend's neighbor's kid couldn't go to school today.  She doesn't have a car.
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[msmerymac]

Nov 2, 2016 11:04:06 GMT -5 sfy said:

Nov 2, 2016 10:43:00 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

We're acting like anyone SHOULD pay hundreds of dollars in premiums for an employer-sponsored health care plan. What else are unions for if not to collectively bargain for worker rights?

It's unfortunate they are trying to prevent regional rail from completing their route, since the conductors are governed by a separate contract.

I'm not saying anyone should be paying it, but unfortunately, that's life.  It just seems like it never ends with SEPTA.  I remember when the fare was $.75 and transfers were either free or $.10 (can't recall).  Then $1.00 and $.25.  Then $1.25 and $.25.  Now we're at $2.25 and $1.00.  Obviously, some of this is inflation and obviously, it's not free to run a mass transit system, but SEPTA workers are paid more than a very fair wage, have average healthcare costs and a pension, and they're still bitching.  Every 3-4 years with this shit.  They have the city by the balls and they know it, and the timing of this stinks to high heaven.
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Well I also put a lot of the blame on the yokels in state government who cry "BOO HOO! WHY DO WE NEED TO SUBSIDIZE PHILLY MASS TRANSIT?"

[Deleted]

Nov 1, 2016 17:18:22 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Oh, and Trump was in the suburban city where I work today. He even stopped in the Wawa that I usually go to for lunch. Glad I missed that. Probably wouldn't have been able to stop myself from punching him in the balls.

We should hang out.  I work 10 minutes down 202.

I was really happy when I found out he wasn't coming here.

[froggy76]

Nov 2, 2016 11:09:48 GMT -5 @silver said:

Nov 1, 2016 17:18:22 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Oh, and Trump was in the suburban city where I work today. He even stopped in the Wawa that I usually go to for lunch. Glad I missed that. Probably wouldn't have been able to stop myself from punching him in the balls.

We should hang out.  I work 10 minutes down 202.

I was really happy when I found out he wasn't coming here.

Okay, I'm really starting to worry that you're one of my coworkers lol.

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2016 11:54:38 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

Nov 2, 2016 11:09:48 GMT -5 @silver said:

We should hang out.  I work 10 minutes down 202.

I was really happy when I found out he wasn't coming here.

Okay, I'm really starting to worry that you're one of my coworkers lol.

Are yoooou in IT?  In a company that was recently acquired by one based in a more western state?

[froggy76]

Nov 2, 2016 11:56:30 GMT -5 @silver said:

Nov 2, 2016 11:54:38 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

Okay, I'm really starting to worry that you're one of my coworkers lol.

Are yoooou in IT?  In a company that was recently acquired by one based in a more western state?

No, but I live very close to your work and I work slightly west of there. Hi neighbor!

[isabel]

Nov 1, 2016 17:04:03 GMT -5 cookiemdough said:

Did I read that right? They think $400 per month for a FAMILY plan is unreasonable? Or is it an increase of $400. Cause they are smoking something if is the former.

I would be motherfucking thrilled to pay $400 a month for a family plan. THRILLED.

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2016 11:58:35 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

Nov 2, 2016 11:56:30 GMT -5 @silver said:

Are yoooou in IT?  In a company that was recently acquired by one based in a more western state?

No, but I live very close to your work and I work slightly west of there. Hi neighbor!

Howdy!  Thanks for letting us commuters use the fabulous Target/Wegman's combo plaza that is sometimes the only thing that gets me up in the morning.

[Deleted]

Nov 1, 2016 16:24:33 GMT -5 OscarQ said:

Among other issues, TWU members said SEPTA's break policies for vehicle operators left them little time to use the bathroom between routes, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The newspaper also said that TWU members complained that the nine hours of down time wasn't enough, and forced them to drive vehicles while they were tired.

I want to know more about this. The turnaround time was a HUGE sticking point that prompted my county's transit strike last year. The drivers were only guaranteed four minutes to turn around a bus route. Management said that it was NBD because almost all the routes actually provided for more, but the union was concerned that these longer periods would be shortened if only four minutes was guaranteed. Most bus routes don't turn around at a transit center, so the driver has to leave, find a public restroom, and get back to the bus in four minutes? No way.

And I want more info on this nine-hour issue. Does that mean they are only required to have nine hours between the end of one shift and the start of another? Because if we're going to account for commuting and eating, that is NOT enough time to make sure operators are well-rested.

I know the story focuses on the pay and benefits issues, but any time the operation of heavy machinery is involved, I always get concerned about the public safety implications of contract terms.

[OscarQ]

@angryharpy - those are the issues that concerned me the most too because they directly impact health and safety of both the operators and the passengers.

[msmerymac]

Nov 2, 2016 12:03:51 GMT -5 @silver said:

Nov 2, 2016 11:58:35 GMT -5 froggy76 said:

No, but I live very close to your work and I work slightly west of there. Hi neighbor!

Howdy!  Thanks for letting us commuters use the fabulous Target/Wegman's combo plaza that is sometimes the only thing that gets me up in the morning.

Pretty sure I biked to that Wegmans on Saturday.

[auntie]

Nov 2, 2016 11:05:33 GMT -5 sfy said:

Nov 2, 2016 11:03:22 GMT -5 auntie said:

Hoping my son makes it home from Temple this afternoon because I don't want to have to go get him.

I hope so, too. 

My friend's neighbor's kid couldn't go to school today.  She doesn't have a car.
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He made it home at the usual time and reports that he saw Anne Hathaway on campus.

[sfy]

Nov 2, 2016 17:15:53 GMT -5 auntie said:

Nov 2, 2016 11:05:33 GMT -5 sfy said:

I hope so, too. 

My friend's neighbor's kid couldn't go to school today.  She doesn't have a car.
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He made it home at the usual time and reports that he saw Anne Hathaway on campus.

An all around good day lol!

[msmerymac]

News headlines flashing by said they may be close to a deal.