PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Unionized SEPTA workers voted to authorize a strike on Sunday.þþMembers of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234, the largest workers' union for SEPTA, met over the weekend to issue their vote.þþAccording to the union, 100% of those in attendance voted in favor of a strike.þþÿWhat they're offering thus far isn't satisfactory,ÿ said Brian Pollitt, the TWU Local 234 president.þþUnion representatives say not only are they fighting for more pay, but their main concern is safety and security issues.þþÿWe are not safe. We don't have bulletproof windows, we don't have vests, we don't have an officer, we don't have no form of safety -- none,ÿ added Tracy Everett, a union member.þþMembers of the union say ongoing violence around the city is becoming a major problem for them.þþÿSeems as though we are not as important as they like to say we are because if they were, safety would be paramount,ÿ said Andre Jones Sr., vice president of TWU Local 234.þþThe union has been meeting with SEPTA regarding these concerns since July, officials say.þþThis could impact people who rely on SEPTA service if a deal isn't hammered out by midnight on November 7.þþWorkers with the international transport union are standing in solidarity with the local 234's effort.þþÿThe amount of violence against transit workers across the country is off the charts, a full moon atmosphere in every city. In Philadelphia, it happens to be an egregious situation,ÿ said John Samuelson, president of TWU International.þþFollowing the strike announcement, SEPTA officials released the following statement:þþÿSEPTA is in ongoing talks with TWU Local 234 regarding a new contract. We are committed to engaging in good-faith negotiations, with the goal of reaching an agreement that is fair to our hard-working employees and to the customers and taxpayers who fund SEPTA.þþA major factor in these negotiations is SEPTA's ongoing funding crisis. With the exhaustion of federal COVID relief funds earlier this year and ridership still recovering from the pandemic, SEPTA is facing an operating budget deficit of nearly a quarter billion dollars annually. We continue to work with the Gov. Shapiro and legislative leaders on sustainable, long-term funding, but at this point, there is no solution in sight. This stark reality impacts these negotiations, as well as SEPTA's ability to provide critical transportation services throughout the Philadelphia region.ÿþþ
Source: 6abc.com
