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2008-06-14 04:57:20 UTC
SEPTA Police Go Out On Strike
POSTED: 3:31 pm EDT June 13, 2008
UPDATED: 6:57 pm EDT June 13, 2008
PHILADELPHIA -- Transit police in the city went on strike just before
the evening rush Friday after working without a contract for nearly
two years.
About 200 officers, who mostly patrol the city's main subway lines,
walked off the job around 3:15 p.m.
"We want to work. We want to be out there. We want to protect the
people," said Steve Richards, a striking member of the Fraternal Order
of Transit Police. "But we want a fair contract."
SEPTA released a statement Friday saying that there would be no
reduction in security because transit police commanders, city police
officers and private security guards would replace the striking
officers.
"The big message here is that SEPTA is safe," Mayor Michael Nutter
said at an impromptu press conference near a downtown SEPTA station
where dozens of transit officers gathered after turning in their guns
and badges.
The striking officers stood with black and white signs around their
necks and handed out fliers as Nutter called the strike "regrettable
and unnecessary," and an action to "inconvenience the riding public."
The transit officers mostly patrol the Broad Street Subway and the
Market-Frankford Line. They want the same pay as officers in the
Philadelphia Police Department; city police officers start at about
$39,000 a year, compared to $30,752 for a transit officer.
"If you want to be paid like a Philly police officer, join the Philly
police force," Nutter said.
Union spokesman Anthony Ingargielo said management's last offer was to
provide raises for new hires, but take away longevity pay for veteran
officers.
Ingargielo called the offer "insulting."
In its statement, SEPTA called the strike "totally avoidable" and said
it had agreed to the recommendations of a fact finder working for the
Pennsylvania Bureau of Mediation, but that the union rejected that.
The transit officers' last contract expired Sept. 30, 2005, and was
extended for one year. The union membership has rejected three
tentative agreements. SEPTA turned down a union request for binding
arbitration last week.
SEPTA General Manager Joe Casey echoed the mayor's statements and said
the company is ready to go back to the negotiating table.
"We're willing to meet this weekend," Casey said. "We're willing to
meet tonight."
The walkout happened as schools let out, a period when crime by
juveniles on the subways is typically at its worst. The subways have
been plagued by violent crime in recent months, including the
unprovoked March 26 beating of a man who collapsed and died.
http://www.nbc10.com/travelgetaways/16601450/detail.html?rss=phi&psp=news
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POSTED: 3:31 pm EDT June 13, 2008
UPDATED: 6:57 pm EDT June 13, 2008
PHILADELPHIA -- Transit police in the city went on strike just before
the evening rush Friday after working without a contract for nearly
two years.
About 200 officers, who mostly patrol the city's main subway lines,
walked off the job around 3:15 p.m.
"We want to work. We want to be out there. We want to protect the
people," said Steve Richards, a striking member of the Fraternal Order
of Transit Police. "But we want a fair contract."
SEPTA released a statement Friday saying that there would be no
reduction in security because transit police commanders, city police
officers and private security guards would replace the striking
officers.
"The big message here is that SEPTA is safe," Mayor Michael Nutter
said at an impromptu press conference near a downtown SEPTA station
where dozens of transit officers gathered after turning in their guns
and badges.
The striking officers stood with black and white signs around their
necks and handed out fliers as Nutter called the strike "regrettable
and unnecessary," and an action to "inconvenience the riding public."
The transit officers mostly patrol the Broad Street Subway and the
Market-Frankford Line. They want the same pay as officers in the
Philadelphia Police Department; city police officers start at about
$39,000 a year, compared to $30,752 for a transit officer.
"If you want to be paid like a Philly police officer, join the Philly
police force," Nutter said.
Union spokesman Anthony Ingargielo said management's last offer was to
provide raises for new hires, but take away longevity pay for veteran
officers.
Ingargielo called the offer "insulting."
In its statement, SEPTA called the strike "totally avoidable" and said
it had agreed to the recommendations of a fact finder working for the
Pennsylvania Bureau of Mediation, but that the union rejected that.
The transit officers' last contract expired Sept. 30, 2005, and was
extended for one year. The union membership has rejected three
tentative agreements. SEPTA turned down a union request for binding
arbitration last week.
SEPTA General Manager Joe Casey echoed the mayor's statements and said
the company is ready to go back to the negotiating table.
"We're willing to meet this weekend," Casey said. "We're willing to
meet tonight."
The walkout happened as schools let out, a period when crime by
juveniles on the subways is typically at its worst. The subways have
been plagued by violent crime in recent months, including the
unprovoked March 26 beating of a man who collapsed and died.
http://www.nbc10.com/travelgetaways/16601450/detail.html?rss=phi&psp=news
***********************************************************
Stans Railpix railphotoexpress.com Store !!
http://www.cafepress.com/stans_railpix
www.zazz/e.com/stanrail
Stan'S Railpix;-A-Rail-Photo-Gallery !!
http://www.trainweb.org/railpix
Will remain a FREE site with 2426+1/2 images posted.
***********************************************************