Philly transit strike a tough sell in down economy

AP - By KATHY MATHESON

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Even in the best of times, waking up to a surprise transit strike is like a bad dream come true. When the sudden walkout comes during an economic downturn, it becomes more like a public relations nightmare.

The Philadelphia transit system's largest union went on strike early Tuesday over wage, pension and health care issues, stalling the city's bus, subway and trolley operations and forcing thousands of commuters to find other ways to get to work -- and to Election Day polls.

"I think they have a lot of nerve to ask for more money in this economy," said Robert Washington, of west Philadelphia, who relied on his bicycle to get to his office job downtown. "There are people who don't have jobs who would love to have one of their jobs. It's arrogant."

The sudden strike by Transport Workers Union Local 234 all but crippled the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which averages more than 928,000 trips each weekday. No new negotiations were scheduled Tuesday.

Labor experts agree that a walkout over wages in a down economy is a hard sell. Striking transit workers may have a tough time earning the sympathy of passengers who are losing their own jobs and taking salary cuts, said Harley Shaiken, a labor studies professor at the University of California-Berkeley.

"For public employees during a tough recession, it's more difficult, but not impossible, to gain broader support," Shaiken said. "The key is convincing people that your victory benefits them rather than comes at their expense."

Gov. Ed Rendell, who helped mediate negotiations for the past four days, was stunned when the union walked out on a proposed deal that included an 11.5 percent wage increase over five years.

Given the recession, layoffs and salary freezes in other sectors, Rendell said SEPTA's offer was "sensational."

"It's just an excellent contract in the context of the times," he said. "It was, in my judgment, nuts to walk out. I think the SEPTA workers would have jumped at this."

Several messages left with the union by The Associated Press seeking further comment on the negotiations were not returned Tuesday.

As recently as Monday evening, union officials had given no walkout deadline as talks continued. So early morning commuters on Tuesday were bewildered and frustrated by locked subway stations and vacant bus stops.

"Everybody hates SEPTA, and this is why," said Ranisha Allen, who said she had no option but to count on the kindness of car-owning neighbors to get her to work from her north Philadelphia home. "These people go on strike and they don't think about people they hurt, people who can't get to work, kids who can't get to school."