Union strikes could bring Philadelphia services to a halt
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Three Philly unions representing SEPTA operators and municipal workers are threatening to strike at the same time.
Why it matters: A triple strike could bring city services and transit to a standstill.
State of play: The Parker administration is negotiating contracts with AFSCME District Council 33 (DC33) — Philly's largest union representing thousands of blue-collar city staffers, from sanitation and prison workers to library employees and school crossing guards.
- Meanwhile, SEPTA is in talks with the Transport Workers Union Local 234 (TWU) and SMART-TD Local 1594.
- SMART's contract expired Monday.
Behind the scenes: The three unions have been "holding regular discussions about aligning their strike dates and those discussions are continuing," Brian Pollitt, TWU Local 234 president, tells Axios.
The other side: SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch tells Axios the agency hasn't received any notification from the unions about a strike deadline as of Friday. "We are continuing to have productive conversations at the bargaining table," Busch says.
- The Parker administration did not return a request for comment.
Context: TWU represents more than 5,000 SEPTA workers, including bus, subway and trolley drivers, as well as maintenance workers and cashiers.
- SMART 1594 represents around 350 bus, trolley and Norristown High Speed Line operators in the suburbs.
What's at stake: A TWU strike would halt all bus, subway and trolley service in Philadelphia.
- A SMART 1594 strike would cut services that operate out of 69th Street Station, including bus and trolley routes, as well as the Norristown High Speed Line.
- A DC33 work stoppage would likely result in no trash pickups, and slowdowns to 911 services.
Between the lines: Mayor Cherelle Parker is facing one of her biggest challenges since she took office at the start of the year.
- The threats of work stoppages may undercut her priorities of maintaining robust city services.
- And a transit strike could prevent other municipal workers from getting to the office now that the mayor has mandated a return-to-office policy.
Meanwhile, SEPTA is facing a massive budget deficit that is setting up fare hikes and service cuts next year.
What the unions want: DC33, whose contract expired in June, is calling for a four-year deal with pay increases, relaxing of residency requirements, and changes to pension plans.
- TWU is pushing for wage increases and better protections for workers after a rash of assaults. The union's contract expired this month.
- Both unions have already rejected offers from the city and SEPTA.
Meanwhile, SMART 1594 is also negotiating for higher wages and safer working conditions.