The deadline for a strike that could disrupt bus and subway services for those attending the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees has been moved -- to mere hours before the start of Game 3.
The union, which represents more than 5,000 transit workers, had threatened to go on strike as early as 12:01 a.m. Saturday if they didn't come to some agreement with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. But after the deadline passed, Allison Cooper of Transport Workers Local 234 said the union decided to continue negotiations until 6 p.m. Saturday after a special request from Gov. Ed Rendell.
In other words, there's no strike now, but it could happen about two hours before Game 3 starts.
The union is looking for a 4 percent wage hike for its bus drivers, subway and trolley operators, and mechanics, who make an average of $52,000 a year. SEPTA is offering a four-year contract with no raises in the first two years and 2 percent raises in the final two years.
The union also wants to keep its current health care contribution of 1 percent of salary, or about $10 a week on average. SEPTA wants to raise the contribution to 4 percent, noting that the contributions of city and state workers are likewise going up.
The union is also concerned about pensions.
A SEPTA strike in 2005 lasted seven days, while a 1998 strike hampered the transit system for 40 days. About 800,000 people use SEPTA to get to and from work in the Philadelphia area.
SEPTA spokesman Richard Malone said the talks would continue late Saturday morning.
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The Phillies and Yankees are scheduled to play the third, fourth and fifth games of the Series on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in Philadelphia. About 8,000 people typically take SEPTA to the baseball stadium for games, according to Maloney.
