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Transit strike ends in Philadelphia, PA
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by caj1 | November 9, 2009 at 11:38 am
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Public transportation is working again in Philadelphia. The transit strike ended in the early hours of Monday, with the transit workers returning to work. City and suburban residents who had been inconvenienced for almost a week were able to return to normal commuting patterns. During the six-day strike, the city's subways, buses, and trolleys were not working-- only regional rail (trains running from outside the city to the city) were working. People who normally relied on public transit had to either drive, walk, or ride bicycles to destinations within the city. Car traffic was very heavy, and commuting times during the strike were very lengthy. Most everyone in the city is relieved the strike is over.
The city's subways, buses and trolleys returned to service today after SEPTA and its largest union reached a tentative agreement during the night to end a six-day strike.
The deal, which includes a 11.5 percent wage hike over five years and pension enhancements, now goes for ratification by the more than 5,000 members of Transport Workers Union Local 234 who walked off the job at 3 a.m. last Tuesday.
The system slowly came back to life at 4 a.m. with SEPTA advising riders of possible delays as servce was restored.
The strike left an estimated 450,000 riders, including students, to find other ways to get around. Weekly transit passes that were bought before the walkout were being honored until noon today.
This morning, commuters spoke of being "thrilled," "happy" and "relieved" the strike was over - although anger lingered.
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caj1
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Recommendations (6)
smkovalinsky
New York, New York, United States
LCoastMom
It shouldn't hurt to be a child.., So Cal/AZ, United States
Hugh Askew
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 13:10 on November 9th, 2009
Public transportation is working again in Philadelphia. The transit strike ended in the early hours of Monday, with the transit workers returning to work.
These strikes put people over a barrel, the unions know it, thankfully it helps get people back to work and riders on with their lives.
at 14:40 on November 9th, 2009
Great post, glad all is starting to roll again for you.
at 19:18 on November 9th, 2009
Thank you for your comment, SMK. We are relieved the strike is over!