PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Members of the Transport Workers Union voted Sunday to authorize a strike as contract negotiations with SEPTA continue, though union leaders say a walkout is not imminent.
Local 234 members gathered at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall in South Philadelphia, where they discussed ongoing contract negotiations for an hour before voting.
Union leaders were clear that the authorization is meant to increase pressure at the bargaining table, not to begin a strike immediately.
“If SEPTA doesn’t put money on the table, we’re gonna shut Philly down. We’re gonna shut it down, that’s what’s gonna happen,” said John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union.
Roughly 5,000 bus, trolley and subway operators, mechanics and other staff have been working without a contract since November 7.
Negotiations began in October, and workers are pushing for a two-year deal, improved benefits and changes to what they describe as outdated contract provisions.
“I’m proud to say that my members unanimously voted yes, giving me the leverage to call a strike if needed at the time. I can’t say that I am not at this moment ready to call a strike, that has not even been spoken about at this moment,” said TWU vice president William Vera.
He added that workers face challenges collecting sick pay, saying, “It’s really hard for my members to collect sick pay. The process they have to get a doctor these days it’s not necessarily the easiest thing, especially a specialist. There’s too many penalties on my members if we don’t hand in our paperwork as soon as possible.”
“I am not talking a strike, again, if SEPTA starts to bargain fairly we will make progress,” Vera said. “I haven’t signed on anything tentative agreement wise. A strike will be the last measure. I’m not there yet. I’m optimistic that they will come to the table on Tuesday and start negotiating.”
He added, “There’s a lot of things in this contract that have been put in since the 40s, the 50s, the 60s and now I’ve been given the opportunity to change this,” and, “it’s mismanagement by SEPTA.”
Lyle Smith, a former trolley operator now working as a mechanic, said he has spent 18 years with SEPTA and believes the system has long failed workers.
“SEPTA for a long time, for the last 18 years has fumbled the bag with broken projects that have never gotten done and we don’t never see anything as far as the members,” he said. “The morale is bad. I mean, SEPTA really needs to pay. We’re sick and tired of coming to work under poor work conditions. Poor work conditions. They wanna walk you out the door as soon as you get hired.”
He added, “If it happens, it happens. Sorry for the public, but we gotta do what we gotta do for our families.”
The stakes are significant for commuters.
More than 50,000 Philadelphia public school students rely on SEPTA to get to and from class. Many riders said a strike would leave them with no affordable alternatives.
“The strike would stop everything, I would have no way to get to work even if I were to take a rideshare service it is a financial burden,” said commuter Amie Isfan, who said she takes “the bus, the trolley, the Metro… at least four times a day.”
She added, “I want to see the people who work at SEPTA paid properly and taken care of cause they’re getting us to where we need to go,” and, “hopefully they’re able to reach an agreement that everyone can benefit from.”
Gesturing as her ride arrived, she noted, “Philly runs on public transportation – and speaking of, this is my bus…”
Kenneth McTillman of North Philadelphia said the uncertainty has become routine.
“I guess that’s the new tactic. Little short-term deals then we’re back on strike and it’s like the common man just not looked out for,” he said. “If you put all your hopes in SEPTA when you’re going to work you’re gonna be unemployed. I don’t do it. I look at it as a luxury because SEPTA don’t care about us.”
In a statement, SEPTA said it remains committed to reaching a deal. “We are committed to continuing to engage in good-faith negotiations, with the goal of reaching an agreement on a new contract that is fair to our hard-working employees and to the taxpayers and fare-paying customers that fund the system.”
The last SEPTA strike occurred in 2016 and lasted six days.
Union leaders return to the bargaining table on Tuesday along with SEPTA management.
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