SEPTA unions warn of strike on Halloween

Officials for unions representing employees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) briefed the Philadelphia City Council this week on ongoing contract negotiations for transit workers.

According to wire reports, employees represented by the Transport Workers Union and the United Transportation Union could strike come Oct. 31, if a compromise is not reached on pay rates and healthcare costs.

Such a strike would likely shut down subway, trolley and bus service in one of the nation’s busiest transit systems.

Only SEPTA’s commuter rail lines and paratransit services would operate if the more than 5,000 union workers walk off their jobs.