SEPTA workers could strike as early as Friday | Here are the potential impacts for drivers in the Philadelphia area

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Time is running out for SEPTA to reach a new collective bargaining agreement with its union members.

Members of the Transport Workers Union Local 234 could hit the picket lines as early as Friday if an agreement is not reached by then.

Last month they voted to authorize a strike.

SEPTA said Wednesday that negotiations are expected to continue through Thursday.

The contract expires on Thursday at 11:59 p.m. SEPTA said it was not yet certain whether the union would strike, saying the decision rested with union leaders.

SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch said that in the event of a strike, the union would close all bus, streetcar and subway/EL services in the city of Philadelphia.

“The core part of the network that covers all of Philadelphia would be out of service,” Busch said.

Regional rail would run into the city as usual, and suburban transit services – buses, 101 and 102 streetcars, Norristown high-speed rail – would operate.

SEPTA has published a guide with travel times for drivers in the event of a strike. This guide is posted here on SEPTA.org.

After the strike authorization vote last month, union officials said they would fight for higher wages and greater safety.

“Safety and security for my members and the riding public,” said Brian Pollitt, president of Local 234. “And we seek economic justice.”

Union members said in October that ongoing violence in the city was becoming a major concern for them.

“It seems like we are not as important as they like to claim because if they were, safety would be number one,” Andre Jones Sr., vice president of TWU Local 234, said at the time.

Pollitt added that the union needed additional precautions to ensure the safety of its members.

“We even recommended that they shut down the National Guard because it has gotten so bad,” he noted.

A SEPTA spokesman said the transit agency agreed with the safety concerns.

“I think we have a lot in common with the union,” said Busch.

However, he also explained that higher pay would be difficult as SEPTA faces a financial crisis due to the expiration of COVID-19 relief funds.

“That really impacts our ability to really address some of the economic issues surrounding this contract,” Busch noted.

City residents told Action News that the possibility of a strike is concerning for those who rely on SEPTA every day.

“It's going to be a huge inconvenience, not just for me but for everyone,” said Tonya Green, a West Philadelphia resident who rides SEPTA almost every day. “It’s an important commute option for me and others.”

The Philadelphia School District is planning for a possible SEPTA strike

The Philadelphia School District said it is working on plans in case a SEPTA strike begins Friday.

A strike would impact 55,000 students who commute on city buses and subways, officials said.

The district released the following list of considerations in the event of a strike:

• The district is closely monitoring staffing levels and will provide staffing support at headquarters as needed.

• In cases where student or staff attendance is significantly impacted by the strike, the district may recommend a school move to virtual instruction.

• In such a case, district and school leadership will ensure that all students, especially those with special needs, are equipped with the digital and physical materials they need to participate in virtual learning. Teachers will not provide in-person instruction and virtual instruction at the same time.

• Students who are late or absent due to travel issues related to SEPTA will not be considered tardy or excused after receiving notice from the parent or guardian.

• Late arrivals of employees due to SEPTA-related travel issues will be recorded as excused.

• The district is committed to maintaining vital supports for students and families, such as technology, safety and more.

School district officials will provide another update on the situation Thursday.