Gov. Rendell today chastised union leaders for calling a strike against SEPTA, saying they turned down a “sensational” contract in tough economic times.
Rendell said the five-year contract spurned by leaders of Transport Workers Union Local 234 called for a $1,250 signing bonus upon ratification, a 2.5 percent raise the second year, and a three percent raise in each of the next three years.
It also called for an increase in pension payments to workers and no increase in their health-insurance contributions.
Rendell said he had agreed to give SEPTA $6 million from an economic development fund in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to help pay for the contract sweeteners.
“The union leadership walked on a victory last night,” Rendell said. “They just didn’t know when to declare victory.”
TWU Local 234 spokesman Robert Wolper responded that “there’s lots more to it than just the money,” but he said he could not be more specific without speaking to union president Willie Brown. Brown could not be reached immediately for comment.
via: philly.com
