There are likely a lot of smiling faces across the Delaware Valley this morning.
And we are not referring merely to fans of Villanova and Temple hoops, as both teams prepare for first-round games in the NCAA Tournament later in the week.
It’s not merely a hangover from St. Pat’s Day parades over the weekend in Springfield and Philly, either. Yes, it was a great weekend to be Irish.
This morning, it’s also good to be a commuter in the region. Especially if you rely on mass transit to get into the city.
That’s because the trains, trolleys and buses are still rolling. That includes the Market-Frankford El, one of the true lifebloods of the region, which ferries people to and from center city from 69th Street in Upper Darby.
SEPTA’s contract with its city union expired Saturday night. As usual, many wondered if they needed to fear the “R-Ides of March,” whether they would wake up Sunday to find the region’s mass transit had ground to a halt. And if they would have to spend most of their day Sunday trying to figure out how to get to work on Monday.
No need to fear. That’s because SEPTA’s city union decided to remain on the job despite the fact that their deal had expired. Union officials made it clear they did not want to hurt riders when the economy is in such dire straits.
Willie Brown, the leader of Transport Workers Union Local 234 and its 4,700 city workers, stressed that there was no desire on the part of his team or the rank and file to force an impasse between the union and management onto the backs of students, businesses and commuters who depend on the system to get around.
So for now, the region’s trains, trolleys and buses continue to roll. Another negotiating session is set for Tuesday.
A SEPTA official indicated that the two sides remain far apart and that a deal could be well down the road.
But a work stoppage is not in the works. And for that riders, businesses and everyone else in the region should be thankful.
A strike would have taken today’s woeful economic climate and poured a little gas on the fire.
Both sides should be lauded for stepping away from another conflagration.
And we are not referring merely to fans of Villanova and Temple hoops, as both teams prepare for first-round games in the NCAA Tournament later in the week.
It’s not merely a hangover from St. Pat’s Day parades over the weekend in Springfield and Philly, either. Yes, it was a great weekend to be Irish.
This morning, it’s also good to be a commuter in the region. Especially if you rely on mass transit to get into the city.
That’s because the trains, trolleys and buses are still rolling. That includes the Market-Frankford El, one of the true lifebloods of the region, which ferries people to and from center city from 69th Street in Upper Darby.
SEPTA’s contract with its city union expired Saturday night. As usual, many wondered if they needed to fear the “R-Ides of March,” whether they would wake up Sunday to find the region’s mass transit had ground to a halt. And if they would have to spend most of their day Sunday trying to figure out how to get to work on Monday.
No need to fear. That’s because SEPTA’s city union decided to remain on the job despite the fact that their deal had expired. Union officials made it clear they did not want to hurt riders when the economy is in such dire straits.
Willie Brown, the leader of Transport Workers Union Local 234 and its 4,700 city workers, stressed that there was no desire on the part of his team or the rank and file to force an impasse between the union and management onto the backs of students, businesses and commuters who depend on the system to get around.
So for now, the region’s trains, trolleys and buses continue to roll. Another negotiating session is set for Tuesday.
A SEPTA official indicated that the two sides remain far apart and that a deal could be well down the road.
But a work stoppage is not in the works. And for that riders, businesses and everyone else in the region should be thankful.
A strike would have taken today’s woeful economic climate and poured a little gas on the fire.
Both sides should be lauded for stepping away from another conflagration.
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