Contract Extension looks likely

Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - As a third contract deadline looms for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's largest union, both sides say they may consider an extension.

"It is something we are willing to discuss," Bob Bedard, a spokesman for the Transport Workers Union Local 234, said Monday. SEPTA also was willing to discuss an extension, spokesman Jim Whitaker said.

SEPTA's contract with the union had been extended for 30 days, from March 15 to April 15, and again for 60 days, until midnight Tuesday. A work stoppage would halt buses, subways and trolleys, while regional rail trains between the city and suburbs would continue to run.

Issues remaining unsettled Monday included how much the transit operators, mechanics and cashiers would contribute to their monthly health care premiums, union President Jeff Brooks said. Whitaker said talks would continue Tuesday.

One Month to Go

The buses are running and the talk of a strike no longer dominates the headlines since a two month delay was put in, however one month later there has been no movement between the TWU and SEPTA. And in fact an article in the Daily News suggests that we may be in for a showdown. SEPTA's filing an unfair-labor-practice complaint against the union

The BCGP and Neighborhood Bike Works will be setting up a guarded bike facility at the Municipal Services Building should a SEPTA strike happen. Simply check your bike in, the service will be free. 

Bicycle Coalition Bike the Strike Website

The BCGP has set up a Bike the Strike page on our website. We will also be posting information on the blog.