Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell is playing mediator in the crippling transit strike holding Philadelphia hostage. The Gov. took to the phone Wednesday to try and get both sides back to the bargaining table.
SEPTA spokesperson Jerri Williams said the transit authority spoke to Rendell just after 5 p.m. Wednesday evening. She didn't elaborate on what actions may be taken to help resolve the walkout, but said they're ready to resume talks whenever.
"SEPTA's already at the table, we just need the union to come back," said Williams of stalled negotiations with the Transit Workers Union, Local 234.
Williams also praised Mayor Nutter for his help in the negotiations, although the union said it's cutting the mayor out of any talks.
"He's been instrumental…he's helped a lot," said Williams. "But if the union does not want him to be there anymore, I'm sure the mayor just wants the talks to continue."
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Union prez Willie Green expressed his disdain for Nutter, calling him "Little Caesar" and lambasting him for not sweetening SEPTA's offer with city funds.
Rendell also dropped a line to Willie Green and TWU Local 234. Again, details of the call were not released, but the two are set to talk again Thursday.
While both sides are happy to chat it up with Rendell, one-on-one talks have yet to be scheduled.
Rendell, Nutter and SEPTA all called the transit authority's offer to the union a "great" one, but reps contend that it did not meet their needs. Rendell contributed $6 million of state transportation funding to the offer.
The union is seeking better contributions to its pension fund -- which they say is currently funded at 52 percent.
