TWU Local 234 celebrates success today after settling an acceptable contract with the Southeastern Philadelphia Transit Authority, which ended a six-day long strike early this morning. Local 234 members who run and maintain Philadelphia’s subways, buses and trolleys are back on the job today. The contract will now go to Local 234's 5,100 members for ratification in the next week and a half.

November 6, 2009

This morning, Philadelphia's transit workers, TWU Local 234 members, entered their fourth day of a strike– their fourth day sacrificing their pay and waiting for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) to negotiate and give them the contract they deserve. These transit workers have been running SEPTA without a contract for eight months, since their last expired in March. They've been waiting for management to negotiate an acceptable new contract, but they can not wait any longer.

For the last couple of weeks the local government and SEPTA have been well aware of the possibility of a strike. Local 234 made this possibility publicly known through advertisements and public statements. Self-serving politicians have been feeding lies to a frustrated public when they could easily give Local 234 the fair contract it is asking for – a pension plan that does not increasingly siphon workers' pay while it underfunds their pension plans; a raise that adheres to traditional standards; and "picking" rights to end discriminatory practices at SEPTA.

The TWU understands these are tough economic times, but the transit authority has seen great success in recent months. SEPTA has been seeing record levels of ridership, record levels of revenue and an unprecedented infusion of stimulus dollars, some of which is directed to operating costs. The TWU is not asking for anything that SEPTA cannot afford.

Transit work is not easy. Local 234 members risk their lives daily to keep Philadelphia moving and safe; they give back to their communities and take care of their families. They are people who deserve a fair contract. The Transport Workers Union remains united and strong and will continue to fight for the contract that its members deserve.

View photos of Local 234 members picketing and fighting for their right to a fair contract at twu.org/flickr

Statement by Willie Brown
TWU Local 234 President on Key Strike Issues

While other issues remain unsettled, the key issue is pensions and how members' pensions will be funded. SEPTA has underfunded members' pensions for more than 20 years.

SEPTA's board would like to have TWU members pay for a greater share of their pension contribution. Meanwhile they are increasing pension benefits for managers with a reduced contribution – which we find completely inequitable.

Many of the comments made yesterday by political figures were not helpful and were inaccurate. Local 234 had made it clear through public statements and advertising that a strike was a strong possibility.

While we acted in good faith and agreed to wait until after the final home game of the World Series – strike was never off the table. Mayor Nutter intentionally misled the public about our intentions. This was a disservice to those that rely on the transit system and on area commuters.

We greatly appreciate Governor Rendell's efforts to bring about a settlement. However, the numbers the governor has widely circulated are misleading. The way I do arithmetic, If I give you three dollars and I immediately take away two -- you're left with one dollar. In the governor's math you would still have three dollars. In the real world, the proposed salary increase would be largely erased by the increased out-of-pocket pension contribution.

We know these are difficult times for many in our community and across the nation. However, our employer is experiencing record levels of ridership, record levels of revenue and an unprecedented infusion of federal stimulus dollars -- a portion of which is directed to operating costs. Our proposals do not create a financial hardship in any way.

Pension security is important to our members. In order to protect our retirement years we are willing and able to stay out as many days as it takes to reach a fair settlement.

We are united and we are one.

Don't forget to check out our photos on Flickr.