Gov. Wolf seeks end to transit strike, city calls for election-day suspension
Source: Philadelphia Media Network
Talks between SEPTA and a striking union were underway Sunday night when an announcement that the hotel hosting negotiations would be cutting its power at midnight sent the two parties scrambling.
The unexpected disruptions caused by scheduled maintenance at the hotel, according to a statement issued to guests, didn't bring talks to an end, though. With a court hearing pending at 9:30 a.m. that could lead to a judge ordering strikers back to work, SEPTA and leadership of the Transportation Workers Union Local 234 returned to their offices and kept a dialogue going. A state mediator shuttled between SEPTA's offices at 12th and Market Street and the TWU headquarters on 2nd Street just south of Spring Garden Street, almost two miles away.
The Monday morning hearing in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas with revisit SEPTA's petition for an injunction that would force the strike to end, permanently. Governor Tom Wolf supported SEPTA's efforts, he said Sunday.
The city, meanwhile, filed a related motion Sunday in the same court seeking a more limited injunction, one that would force strikers back to work just on Election Day, Nov. 8.
"Though there are extensive efforts to minimize the effect of any transit strike on Election day," city solicitor Sozi Pedro Tulante said in a statement, "unquestionably, such an Election Day strike will make it practiclaly impossible for many Philadelphians to participate in this election."
The city's took legal action, the motion filed Sunday said, because Philadelphia, "has a fundamental interest in providing for a safe, fair, and efficient election process through the City on Election Day."
Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Two-sides-still-talking-on-SEPTA-contract.html
Philly.com has a headline that says SEPTA and Union have a deal. The link goes to this article, which doesn't reflect headline. Hoping this is over since I'm up at 3 to get to work.
= new reply since forum marked as read
