Union puts potential Philadelphia mass transit strike on hold as talks continue

PHILADELPHIA — The union representing thousands of public transit workers in Philadelphia has agreed to postpone a strike that could have started Friday, saying progress was being made in ongoing contract talks.

Transport Workers Union Local 234 members had voted last week to authorize a strike after their one-year contract with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority expired at 12:01 a.m. Friday. But the two sides agreed late Thursday to continue talks Friday afternoon.

“We have not reached an agreement, but there is enough movement to continue discussions and we are not calling a strike at this time,” union president Brian Pollitt said. “We are by no means taking the possibility of a strike off the table as we continue to fight for the best possible agreement that addresses our security and economic concerns.”

The transport authority, which has repeatedly said its financial health is uncertain, said it remains hopeful a fair deal can be reached. The agency does not want to respond in detail to the conversations.

Local 234 has approximately 5,000 members, including bus, subway and trolley operators, mechanics, cashiers, maintenance workers and custodians.

Pollitt has said the transportation authority has not scrapped its opening proposal, which he said did not include a pay increase and offered a $1,000 signing bonus in exchange for concessions on the cost of health care coverage. The union’s main demand is additional steps to improve the personal safety of frontline workers – many of whom face violence and intimidation – and a pay increase.