Union puts potential Philadelphia mass transit strike on hold as talks continue

PHILADELPHIA — The union that represents thousands of Philadelphia mass transit structure workers has agreed to delay a strike that could have started Friday, saying advancement was being made in ongoing agreement talks.

Transport Workers Union Local 234 members had voted last week to authorize a strike once their one-year agreement with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority expired at 12:01 a.m. Friday. But the two sides agreed late Thursday to continue talks on Friday afternoon.

“We have not reached an agreement, but there has been sufficient movement for us to continue talking and we are not yet calling a strike at this period,” union President Brian Pollitt said. “We are by no means taking the possibility of a strike off the table as we continue to fight for the best feasible agreement addressing our safety and economic concerns.”

The transportation authority, which has repeatedly said its fiscal stability is doubtful, said it remains optimistic that a fair deal can be reached. The agency has declined to comment in specific on the talks.

Local 234 has about 5,000 members, including bus, subway, and trolley operators, mechanics, cashiers, maintenance workers and custodians.

Pollitt has said the transportation authority has not moved off its opening proposal, which he said included no wage boost and offered a $1,000 signing bonus in trade for concessions on costs for health worry coverage. The union’s top demand is additional steps to enhance personal safety for frontline workers — many of whom face violence and harassment — and a wage boost.