PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) --
Commuters in Philadelphia faced another day of transportation woes Wednesday as the SEPTA strike continues.
Early Wednesday morning, SEPTA released a statement saying the two sides "continue to make steady progress in the effort to reach an agreement on a new contract." Talks are expected to resume later Wednesday morning.
November 2, 2016: The SEPTA strike entered its second day with talks expected to resume between union negotiators and the transit agency.
The walkout began early Tuesday after SEPTA and TWU Local 234, a union representing about 4,700 transit workers, failed to reach a contract agreement, shutting down buses, trolleys and subways that provide about 900,000 rides a day.
After receiving an offer from SEPTA Tuesday evening, the union quickly rejected it as riders scrambled to find their way home during rush hour.
Contract talks continued on Day 2 of the SEPTA strike.
Action News is told shortly after 5 p.m., the union received the latest proposal from SEPTA, but said the offer contained few additions.
Congressman Bob Brady confirmed both sides are still talking. "I hear they're close," he told Action News.
The two sides are sparring over a multitude of issues, including pension payments for some 4,700 union employees.
"If I can find money, I will try to find money whether it be the city, state or feds, and if we can do that, we'll do that. I'll do whatever I can do, whatever we can possibly do to make sure this thing gets over," Brady said.
"The thing that gets me the most is when you ask about the pensions, we're not being greedy. I think SEPTA slapped the riding public in the face, they slapped the taxpayers in the face, when they told you they were doing pension reform. Instead of doing pension reform, what they did was line their pockets," said union president Willie Brown shortly after the strike was announced.
The union is also pressing for breaks for workers and solutions to combat driver fatigue that they say will save lives.
SEPTA says the have tried to reach a fair agreement. The typical front line worker makes $68,000 annually.
Many commuters were left looking to find ways both to and from work, and many students had to find a ride to school.
The strike means many SEPTA buses, trolleys and subways that provide about 900,000 rides a day are no longer operating. The strike does not affect commuter rail lines and service in areas outside the city, including Regional Rail.
While members from other unions picketed outside SEPTA headquarters, some TWU workers blocked access to a Regional Rail train facility, delaying the already crippled mass transit system at the height of evening rush.
SEPTA was able to obtain an injunction in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court that bars interference with Regional Rail service by the striking union workers.
While the order prevents interference with Regional Rail, SEPTA said, other strike-related demonstrations are permitted.
Strike by SEPTA workers enters 2nd day
Commuters in Philadelphia faced another day of transportation woes Wednesday as the SEPTA strike continues.
Early Wednesday morning, SEPTA released a statement saying the two sides "continue to make steady progress in the effort to reach an agreement on a new contract." Talks are expected to resume later Wednesday morning.
November 2, 2016: The SEPTA strike entered its second day with talks expected to resume between union negotiators and the transit agency.
The walkout began early Tuesday after SEPTA and TWU Local 234, a union representing about 4,700 transit workers, failed to reach a contract agreement, shutting down buses, trolleys and subways that provide about 900,000 rides a day.
After receiving an offer from SEPTA Tuesday evening, the union quickly rejected it as riders scrambled to find their way home during rush hour.
Contract talks continued on Day 2 of the SEPTA strike.
Action News is told shortly after 5 p.m., the union received the latest proposal from SEPTA, but said the offer contained few additions.
Congressman Bob Brady confirmed both sides are still talking. "I hear they're close," he told Action News.
The two sides are sparring over a multitude of issues, including pension payments for some 4,700 union employees.
"If I can find money, I will try to find money whether it be the city, state or feds, and if we can do that, we'll do that. I'll do whatever I can do, whatever we can possibly do to make sure this thing gets over," Brady said.
"The thing that gets me the most is when you ask about the pensions, we're not being greedy. I think SEPTA slapped the riding public in the face, they slapped the taxpayers in the face, when they told you they were doing pension reform. Instead of doing pension reform, what they did was line their pockets," said union president Willie Brown shortly after the strike was announced.
The union is also pressing for breaks for workers and solutions to combat driver fatigue that they say will save lives.
SEPTA says the have tried to reach a fair agreement. The typical front line worker makes $68,000 annually.
Many commuters were left looking to find ways both to and from work, and many students had to find a ride to school.
The strike means many SEPTA buses, trolleys and subways that provide about 900,000 rides a day are no longer operating. The strike does not affect commuter rail lines and service in areas outside the city, including Regional Rail.
While members from other unions picketed outside SEPTA headquarters, some TWU workers blocked access to a Regional Rail train facility, delaying the already crippled mass transit system at the height of evening rush.
SEPTA was able to obtain an injunction in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court that bars interference with Regional Rail service by the striking union workers.
While the order prevents interference with Regional Rail, SEPTA said, other strike-related demonstrations are permitted.
Strike by SEPTA workers enters 2nd day
what I think is crazy is that a bunch of ppl I know are voting Democrat next Tuesday are bytching about the strike.
you're supposed to be for labor. Striking is a negotiation tactic of last resort. Why don't you get mad at Septa for not complying to better working conditions. Why not just vote republican next tuesday and change PA to a right to work state?
