PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Contract negotiations between SEPTA and Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge 109, the union representing the transit authority’s police officers, will continue Tuesday. If no deal is reached, transit officers could strike on Wednesday.
The final bargaining session between SEPTA’s management and the FOTP Lodge 109 begins Tuesday at noon. The union plans to vote Wednesday on SEPTA’s offer, and if it isn’t approved, the union claims the officers will immediately go on strike.
If SEPTA police officers go on strike, that means they won’t be walking up and down the subway platforms on patrol or responding to incidents on the train or bus. It would come at a time when some riders feel they’re not safe riding SEPTA.
Union vice president Troy Parham says any contract negotiation centers around three things: Wages, benefits and the term of the contract. Parham says both sides have agreed on wages and benefits, but they’re stuck on the term of the contract.
Parham says SEPTA wants a 44-month contract, but the union is demanding a 36-month contract.
LINK: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/septa-transit-police-union-strike-contract-negotiations/
