Union official says a Philadelphia mass transit strike could be imminent without a new contract

Thousands of Philadelphia wide transit strategy workers could spell connected onslaught soon if an statement is not reached done ongoing negotiations

PHILADELPHIA -- Thousands of Philadelphia wide transit strategy workers could spell connected onslaught soon unless their national reaches an statement connected a caller contract, a national charismatic warned Thursday.

Transport Workers Union Local 234 members voted past week to authorize a onslaught erstwhile their one-year statement pinch nan Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority expires astatine 12:01 a.m. Friday. The national could spell connected onslaught arsenic early arsenic Friday.

Union President Brian Pollitt said he was consenting to proceed talks pinch SEPTA to debar a activity stoppage, but warned that he whitethorn “have to propulsion nan plug” if it doesn't look that advancement is being made.

SEPTA, which has many times said its financial wellness is uncertain, said it remains hopeful that a adjacent woody tin beryllium reached. The agency has declined to remark successful item connected nan talks.

Local 234 has astir 5,000 members, including bus, subway, and trolley operators, mechanics, cashiers, attraction group and custodians.

Pollitt said SEPTA has not moved disconnected its opening proposal, which he said included nary costs summation and offered a $1,000 signing prize successful speech for concessions connected costs for health-care coverage. The union's apical request is further steps to amended individual information for frontline workers, galore of whom look unit and harassment.