Why is the mayor of Philadelphia furious about Septa going on strike?”
Septa transit workers in the Philadelphia city division and the Frontier Division (serving portions of Bucks and Montgomery counties) went on strike as of 3am Tuesday. KYW’s Pat Loeb reports that Transport Worker Union leaders walked out of talks just before midnight Monday night, saying they couldn’t accept Septa’s offer because of a shortfall in their pension fund and disagreements on some work rule issues. Septa general manager Joe Casey says the transit agency’s offer was highly competitive: “For the life of me I can’t believe the TWU walked away from that offer.” Septa had offered raises adding up to 11½ percent over five years, a $1,250 bonus upon ratification, an 11-percent increase in pension contributions, and no increases in workers’ contributions to health insurance benefits. Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and Governor Ed Rendell, who have been heavily involved in negotiations over the past few days, both expressed disappointment in the union. Septa spokesman Richard Malo
