There’s a word for what SEPTA’s city division union did to riders in the city Monday night.
It’s called a sucker punch.
After agreeing not to strike over the weekend, at the same time the nation’s eyes were fixed on the city for three World Series games in South Philly, Tranist Workers Union local 234 reversed course literally minutes after Game 3.
They walked out of talks around midnight and said they would shut the system down at 3 a.m.
Unfortunately, that left a lot of people already out and and about – and dependent on the system - out of luck. Lots of riders who work overnight shifts left their jobs only to find out they had no ride home. Those who work in Delaware County learned they would somehow have to get to regional rail lines to get back into the city.
In addition, all across the city residents went to bed Monday night completely unaware their normal rides would not be available come Tuesday morning.
The union certainly has the right to strike. Although for the life of us we can’t figure out why they would turn down the SEPTA offer, especially in these perilous times. Union officials are expected to explain their stance later this morning.
First they should apologize to those who depend on the system for leaving them in the lurch – without warning.
Then they should get back to the table and end this ill-conceived walkout as soon as they can.
It’s called a sucker punch.
After agreeing not to strike over the weekend, at the same time the nation’s eyes were fixed on the city for three World Series games in South Philly, Tranist Workers Union local 234 reversed course literally minutes after Game 3.
They walked out of talks around midnight and said they would shut the system down at 3 a.m.
Unfortunately, that left a lot of people already out and and about – and dependent on the system - out of luck. Lots of riders who work overnight shifts left their jobs only to find out they had no ride home. Those who work in Delaware County learned they would somehow have to get to regional rail lines to get back into the city.
In addition, all across the city residents went to bed Monday night completely unaware their normal rides would not be available come Tuesday morning.
The union certainly has the right to strike. Although for the life of us we can’t figure out why they would turn down the SEPTA offer, especially in these perilous times. Union officials are expected to explain their stance later this morning.
First they should apologize to those who depend on the system for leaving them in the lurch – without warning.
Then they should get back to the table and end this ill-conceived walkout as soon as they can.
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