Philly transit workers striking as talks stall

SEPTA buses sit idle at the the Frankford Transportation Terminal on November 3, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. TWU Local 234 Union unexpectedly walked out of talks just before midnight on Monday. (Jeff Fusco, Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia mass transit survived three World Series games but a strike is now on that could cripple the morning commute.

The strike by Transport Workers Union Local 234 began after contract talks broke down. Workers had agreed to stay on the job during the World Series games in the city.

Philadelphia's transit system averages more than 928,000 trips each weekday. The union represents more than 5,000 bus drivers, subway and trolley operators and mechanics.

Willie Brown, the local's president, said both sides agreed that they had gone as far as they could go in negotiations.

All bus, subway and trolley service in the city, as well some suburban mass transit, will be stalled by the strike. Regional Rail service won't be interrupted because those crews are covered by separate contracts.

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