SEPTA Union Votes To Strike This Week

PHILADELPHIA - Workers in SEPTA's largest union are vowing to go out on strike later this week, potentially causing chaos during the World Series and Eagles games next weekend.

Members of the Transport Workers Union met Sunday morning to authorize the strike vote against SEPTA.

The vote was nearly unanimous, and the work action could begin anytime this week unless union and management negotiators can reach a deal.

More talks are being held Monday.

A walkout would shut down the crucial Broad Street subway line to the South Philadelphia sports complex just before a weekend that includes a Flyers game, the Phillies-Yankees World series, a potential NFC East first-place showdown between the Eagles and Giants, and the final concerts at the Spectrum.

The union represents subway and trolley operators, bus drivers, and mechanics. They have been working without a contract since the Spring. The regional rails would still operate because those workers are covered by another contract.

The TWU is pushing for a six-percent pay increase and a bump in pension payments.

In 2005, the union went on strike for seven days suspending service of all bus, trolley and subway lines.

SEPTA said it has a contingency plan should the strike occur, but officials have not gone into details, saying the public doesn’t need to know because they are confident a deal will be reached within days.