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Philadelphia transit workers went on strike last week, and no new talks are scheduled with management. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press) |
PHILADELPHIA - Commuters have been told to gear up for a second week of finding other ways to get to work after the collapse of a proposed deal to end a six-day-old transit strike.
No new talks are scheduled between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the union for 5,000 bus drivers, subway and trolley conductors, and mechanics.
The largest union representing workers of the transit authority wants an independent forensic audit of pension funds.
The union is also rejecting language that could reopen the contract if the transit authority’s costs increase due to national health care reform.
Richard Maloney, a spokesman for the transportation authority, said the ball is in the union’s court “to come back to the table and sign the contract.’’
“We feel badly for our riders,’’ he said yesterday. “They’re being unnecessarily hurt in many ways across the five-county area. There are countless thousands of people who are suffering, and it’s unnecessary.’’
Governor Ed Rendell, who had been brokering the talks, said he was leaving the negotiations and taking $7 million in state funding with him unless union members are allowed to vote on the agency’s proposal today.
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