Lessons From the SEPTA Strike

With the strike finally over, I think its safe to saw we've all learned a lot from it.

1. SEPTA workers have the ability to go on strike, despite the fact that they provide a public service. We need a law passed that treats them just as we do with other public service jobs that risk lives such as cops and fire: Binding arbitration.

2. The City Unions have gone without a contract since June 30th, and are now looking at this current dispute and Nutter's involvement and are getting some ideas.

3. We've all learned that we can, to some degree, live without SEPTA buses and subways.

4. A lot of people got a lot of extra exercise due to the strike and walked, biked, and even skateboarded to get to where they had to go.

5. If you're going to go to a protest as a supporter, bring friends. SHEESH!



So what will we actually learn? Well, there are countless lessons in life to learn from, but to actually retain that knowledge and apply it is rare and harder to do.

Hopefully we will learn that the best way to settle a problem is head on. As I wrote a few months ago in my review of "I Kill Giants", I talked about how our "giants" are the problems we avoid. The longer we wait, the worse they get. To that end, the City Union's have been without a contract for over 4 months. If we simply ignore it, its not going to go away. The best thing to happen is for the president of that union to try and talk to Nutter, and vice-versa.

So what's the solution to TWU 234 and the SEPTA strike threat? Pass a law, as soon as possible, making it illegal for them to strike and forcing them into binding arbitration. Again, its based on the fact that they provide an essential city service. They are responsible for transporting over half a million people on a daily basis and provide transport to our jobs, doctors, and hospitals. We can go a while without trash pickup, but not without public transit.

We've all learned new ways of getting around during the strike. In some cases it meant walking through parts of the city we never wanted to and learning something new about the areas we live in, and for others it was that regional rail may be better to use than a bus and subway. We've learned that riding a bike has certain rules and that with more on the road everyone seemed to get a little more considerate.

Will we all learn our lessons? Only time will tell.

SEPTA STRIKE OVER!

The SEPTA Strike is finally over.

All buses, subways, and trolleys are back on. All passes bought last week will be good until Noon today.

The question on the mind of riders: Will our fares go up? No. The current contract fits within their budget so fares shouldn't go up thanks to this deal.

More details will be posted as they become available.

SEPTA STRIKE Day 6: No End in Sight

There is no deal.

Governor Ed Rendell has left town and with him he takes nearly $7 Million dollars in funding to help the union get what it wants. The union got increasingly angry at SEPTA for rewriting the deal. At last check, TWU 234 wanted an independent audit of their pension and SEPTA wanted language in the contract so they could possibly work on health benefits if (or when) the public option is passed.

TWU 234 President "Little" Willie Brown stated during a press conference that any talk of an agreement "was a lie." No new talks are scheduled.

The 2005 SEPTA strike lasted 7 days. A 1998 SEPTA strike lasted 40 days.

Willie Brown, this one goes out to you:



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Today a protest was scheduled at 1234 Market Street for 1PM in front of SEPTA headquarters by someone on Twitter called simply "strikeprotest". I arrived at 12:45PM and saw one protester named Till Ayala, who had actually lost a job due to this strike. When I arrived, there were a bunch of cameras and reporters, far outnumbering the protestor. I arrived carrying a sign that read, "I'm not Anti-Union, I'm Anti-Willie Brown." I spoke to reporters and was asked if I was the organizer and replied, "No, but I saw this on Twitter and wanted to put my money where my mouth is."

Shortly after most of the media left, 3 people came over to support us and hold balloons with slogans to help the cause of the protest: To show that the people of the city were being hurt most by this strike.

SEPTA Union Leader meet with Leaders

UPDATE: Talks resulted in "Little" Willie Brown didn't like the offer given to him by the state, which was said to be a lot like the offer given to him by SEPTA before he walked out and called a strike in the first place. It is worth noting that the offer has been said to be the best one for him.

Meanwhile, Mayor Nutter's administration is taking a step not taken in any strike of SEPTA workers in recent memory: Filling an injunction to get SEPTA workers back to work.

"The City Solicitor, the Law Department, all of our public safety areas and public health areas, have been monitoring the impact of the strike from not just an inconvenience standpoint, but a true impact on people trying to get to their doctor or their hospital."

On a personal level, this is incredibly true. I had to cancel two different doctor appointments due to the strike and put off, yet again, a visit for vital care I needed. If I had to go to the ER from my house, I couldn't take a bus (assuming it wasn't bad enough), I would have to call an ambulance, which costs over $1000.

I would like to add that I would love to see Mayor Nutter try and push a bill through City Council forcing the union into arbitration in the future so this never happens again.

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Don't call it the end yet.

"Little" Willie Brown, president of TWU 234, met with Governor Ed Rendell and Rep. Bob Brady on Thursday night.

The agreement , as it stands, is going to hurt commuters and those who rely on SEPTA. The talks are going more and more in the favor of the union members, despite them walking away from the table and causing the over 500,000 people who use the system on a daily basis to have increased difficulty getting around. As it stands, the union will still get a 11.5% raise, but other details, including their pension contributions going up or their health care costs staying the same (1%) have not yet been revealed.

The main talk among the news media right now is that this could be the end of the strike itself, but I am caustically optimistic.

At this point, the union doesn't deserve anything close to the deal that was offered to them that they went to strike over. The deal they got was as good as possible during a recession, and walking away from it was an insult, not only to the parties involved, but to everyone who needs and relies on the system to get around.

Will their deal cost you in the end? Don't be surprised if it does.

"Little" Willie Brown Explains Why He Rejected the Deal, Discusses Strike

At 11:30AM today, "Little" Willie Brown had his first press conference since calling a strike at 12:01AM on Tuesday morning. Here is the un-edited video:



Here are the headlines:

1. He walked out of the deal because of the pension. He complained that while employees only get 50% put into their pension while SEPTA management get's 90% put in.

2. He thinks Mayor Nutter, or he calls him "Little Ceaser", shouldn't be involved in talks since he's trying to keep the compromise low, and refuses to talk with him at the table.


The deal they were given was reviewed and commented on by labor experts and the verdict was unanimous: It was a pretty decent deal.

The compromise was, in the end, a good one: The workers still received a raise over 5 years of 11.5%, they did get more put into their pension (although they would have to put more into it themselves as well), and their health care contribution would remain at only 1%. Considering SEPTA wanted to raise their health care costs to 4% alone... it was a major victory in the end with all things considered.

To Willie's credit, I get the part about the pensions.... somewhat.

There's a few problems. For starters, the fact that there is a pension is amazing. How many places actually still have one, save the government? Its safe to say that paying into your own retirement makes sense and is fair, and paying 50%, to me, is a little tough but fair. The fact that SEPTA management get's 90% is crazy, and the smartest thing to do would be to accept the contract on the condition that management decreased what they got put into their own accounts. Maybe that was the case. If it was, he would have been idiotic to not mention it.

Word is that SEPTA and the unions and Ed Rendel could meet Thursday to discuss the contract. Rendell had stated Monday that if they didn't meet by Thursday he would not give SEPTA an extra $6 Million to help pay for the deal the union was given.

There is something important to consider: the funding for SEPTA is NOT set in stone.

The budget for SEPTA over the next few years depends on state funding, which in and of itself has always been iffy, but also on putting tolls on I-80. If the federal government doesn't allow us to put tolls on I-80, SEPTA will be further in the hole than before, and any and all raises and benefits won will fall on you and me, the average SEPTA rider.

As I've stated before, I do believe SEPTA management is partly to blame for what we're seeing happen with this agency. The company is horribly mismanaged and has never in its history turned a profit. Improvements to the system have been slow, with everything from basic station improvements to a updated fare system being held back.

At the same time, its hard to say that long term improvements are the fault of management. Its the same story as always: If you're spending a ton on your employees and day-to-day operating costs, how can you afford to do things to improve you company?

SEPTA spokesperson Jerri Williams spoke to NBC10 about the strike as well:



SEPTA is willing to talk and get this taken care of. Will "Little" Willie Brown be willing to do the same?

KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - Gov. Rendell On SEPTA Strike

Ed Rendell went on KYW Newsradio 1060, and he outlined a TON of stuff. This includes the fact that the union didn't vote on this, or how they refused a sweetheart deal.

KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - Gov. Rendell On SEPTA Strike

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SEPTA ON STRIKE!

In a shocking turn of even, TWU Local 234 is now ON STRIKE.

Despite a call not to strike at all, especially not during the World Series, Willie Brown WALKED OUT OF THE TALKS! In turn, workers walked off the job and took to the picket lines. The walkout happened at 12:01AM this morning, and will effect all Bus, Subway, and Trolly service in Philadelphia. Regional Rail is not effected. The strike will be effective as of 3AM.

The talks fell apart over the pension and pay.

The silver lining? The walk out waited until AFTER the World Series, so everyone at the game should be able to get home safely. On top of that, while the loss of SEPTA will be a problem, it will not be the horrible doomsday scenario we would have seen this weekend.

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It is worth noting that TWU 234 has also purchased more air time to support their cause as they complain about SEPTA not giving them more money.

It's 11:00PM: SEPTA Strike 2009 Looks Likely

Talks between SEPTA and TWU Local 234 shutdown tonight in Philadelphia. TWU Local 234 President Willie Brown wants, on behalf of the union he represents, a guaranteed 4% annual raise and a 25% rise in their yearly pension contribution from SEPTA.

Now, admittedly, this blog has had a VERY anti-TWU 234 opinion. I think you can understand why, as a rider, Philadelphia Sports Fan, worker bee, etc... I'm pretty mad. So, with that said, I am going to try and be fair and point out the sheer facts.

So, here we go:

What TWU 234 wants:
A 4% Annual Raise for their 4-year contract
Health Care contributions from employees to remain at 1%
Increase of pension contributions from $75 to $100 a year
Source

What SEPTA wants:
No raise for the first 2 years, and a 2% raise
Health Care contributions from employees to rise to 4%
Freeze the current pension contribution level
Source

What Do SEPTA Employees Make:
Bus, Subway, and Trolly Workers - $14.54 to $24.24 an hour ($30k - $50k a year)
Mechanics - $14.40 to $27.59 an hour ($30k - $57k a year)
Cashier - $50k a year, plus annual raises
Source
-Cashier Source


Now, let's talk about how SEPTA is wasting money, and how this effects you. SEPTA is one of the very few, if not only, mass transit systems that insists on gender ID stickers. They don't work, they act as a form of discrimination, and more importantly, ITS A WASTE OF MONEY.

One thing we always do in these situations as well is blame the workers. If I had a nickle every time I saw someone post "Fire them all and start from scratch", I would by a CD. Right now, the problem is that Brown waited 7 months to actually talk to management, and in turn waited until now to authorize a strike vote.

Let's also deal with this fact: $30 to $50k.... it isn't a bad deal if you don't have a big family. If its just you and a loved-one (who works), you're fine. Throw in a kid, and $50k is good. Myself? I don't make as much as a Bus Driver, and I know a lot of people with degrees and who work their fingers to the bone who don't, either. In the eyes of the working class, its a decent sale, and with a city with an unemployment rate of 10.7%, it looks really nice right now. Throw in a pension fund and a low health care fee, and you have a great job benefit deal with a decent pay rate.

TWU 234 leadership has been taking out ads, calling their strike a "call for the common man". To a degree, their right. With banks getting bailouts, benefits and pay being cut for most workers, who wouldn't want a Working Class Joe to strike back and get a decent days pay from an agency that's big, bloated, and hogs the cash? If you read the last paragraph, I think we know why.

My Predictions

What's my predictions? Right now, Nutter has stated that there will be increased police presence in Philadelphia, especially around the South Philly complexes, and he is already called for people to stay cool. The Phillies have plans just in case, although they haven't been disclosed yet.

IF SEPTA workers strike, it won't last past Sunday. I already see fist-fights breaking out between fans and picketing union members, and the union leadership buckling because of tone simple fact: Their demands are somewhat just and fair (a raise makes sense, but not 4% annually), and the cost for the rider will be tough. The base fair in Philadelphia is $2, one of the highest in the nation. If it goes up, riders will not be happy and ridership will decrease even more.

And one last note: There are very, very, VERY few people who are supporting the union at this time. A strike, especially this weekend, will not help them in any popularity contest.

Photo courtesy.

The SEPTA Strike and Philly Sports: This Could Get Ugly

TWU 234, you have a real public relations problem and here's why:

1. People feel you get paid too much and only want what you want out of greed.

2. You waited 7 months and until the World Series to strike, picking the busiest weekend possible.

3. You made your union members pay MORE IN DUES last year, which may be why they need more money.

4. You took out an ad that doubles as race-baiting against SEPTA because you weren't getting your way.

5. You have a provision in your contracts that allow your members who are hurt to become cashiers and get double-wages AND raises.

6. You want MORE money and MORE benefits during a time when everyone in America is cutting back and suffering.


Right now, here's the situation: TWU 234 goes on strike at 12:01AM tomorrow, this weekend is going to be fucked. "Messed-up" would be more polite, so would even "Screwed". But this... this is a situation where the word "fucked" is the only appropriate word, because it would be! This weekend, you have TWO World Series Games, the Eagles against the NY Giants, Pearl Jam, the Flyers, and if there's anything else, I must have forgotten. But ALL of that is happening this weekend!

So far, talks have been stalled with no progress from either side.

Now, during 99% of the time when people in Philadelphia aren't worried about a strike, we complain about how and why SEPTA sucks. How the service is slow, the workers rude (sometimes), the schedules off, the high fares, and countless other problems with nearly every aspect of the company. So why is it, when the strike looms and starts, we never take the side of the workers and of SEPTA?

Because while we may be mad and angry over the service, we know that this is partly due to the union in and of itself. One problem with SEPTA right now? The bus drivers and supervisors. On an average weekday, drivers may start out early but due to the GPS system in their bus they may have to slow down or stop in order not to get in trouble. On Sunday's, with no supervisors, buses tend to come and go as they please.

Who's to blame for this? I don't know. Maybe SEPTA for wanting accountability of their drivers, and maybe the union workers for not doing their job right and now facing these reprimands from management. I don't know.

Right now, this is about to get ugly.

I was speaking to a few people and we all have the same fear: A SEPTA strike is going to get ugly in the worst possible way. This is largely because of one fact both sides are ignoring one factor: The Philadelphia Sports Fan.

We are not easy people to deal with. We're fine and nice and polite most of the time, but when it comes to our sports, we don't screw around in this town! The riots when the Phillies won could be nothing compared to the reaction from fans unable to watch their hometown play in the World Series after paying over $300 to stand there. The anger of fans unable to see the Eagles play against the Giants.

Could people get so angry and upset over this that they would start actual fights against either side in order to get SEPTA union members back to work? Could we see crowds of people lining up at Broad Street Subway stations demanding to be let on despite a fight, starting riots? Could we see full-scale riots due to a strike? Yankees fans and Giants fans coming down from New York City, pissed that they can't make it to the stadium because of no public transit, mixed with Phillies and Eagles fans?

Sunday, bloody Sunday, it could be.

Personally, I hope this stays as civil as possible between everyone: The union, management... and all the fans. I doubt there would be actual fights, but I don't dismiss it. Try to stay cool, and hey, everyone could just walk down to the stadium and enjoy the game on radios and cheer and boo outside the stadium. A good time to be had by all!

SEPTA, TWU 234? Get your shit together, get to the bargaining table, AND WORK THIS OUT! NOW!

Photo courtesy of Brownstoner.

TWU 234: What Happened?!

The leadership of TWU 234 have decided to not only get greedier, but also meaner.

Last year at this time, the entire city of Philadelphia was, for the first time in my life, filled with true meaning of brotherly love. Peace throughout the city as we all united as one to support the Philadelphia Phillies who, for the first time in over 25 years, were posed to win the World Series, giving the city its first major championship in decades. I knew then that if it happened again, it wouldn't be the same, but I was still sure we would all get along and enjoy the ride.

TWU 234 doesn't see it that way. They want to go on strike right before the World Series starts in Philadelphia and shut down the celebration.

To their credit, the leaders who have always been strike-happy, have worked without a contract since March. That's amazing, and I will give them credit for going on this long and still trying to handle this in a civil manner, trying all the while to get the public on their side. Sadly, they just blew it! BIG TIME!

Look, TWU 234, you want more money. Where? WHERE is it going to come from? The agency hasn't pulled a profit in a long time, and right now, everyone is hurting (except those bastards on Wall Street). Not only that, but you want a 6% wage increase and a higher-contribution to your pensions. Meanwhile, SEPTA is offering 3%. Take the 3%.

Not only that, but Philadelphia Weekly did some investigating, and its worth noting that TWU 234 doesn't seem to deserve that. Why?

Have you ever wondered how cashiers get their jobs in the subway system? Have you ever wondered how much they make to simply sit back there, walk around from time to time, and hand you a transfer? $55,000 A YEAR. The workers in the booths are disabled, and they earn their original salary as a bus driver, mechanic, or whatever, on top of their salary as a cashier!

So they want more money? Maybe their 250 cashiers need concede and let go of their cushy deal. Maybe TWU 234 should do more to eliminate waste on THEIR side as well before they start crying out that management has been unfair to them!