SEPTA Statement on FOTP Strike

June 13, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, PA  -- SEPTA is greatly disappointed in the decision by the Fraternal Order of Transit Police to strike. This strike was totally avoidable.

We assure our riders that through a combination of SEPTA Transit Police commanders, Philadelphia Police and private security, that there will be no reduction in security for our customers system wide. SEPTA greatly appreciates the support of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and the Philadelphia Police Department.

FOTP negotiators failed to respond to a SEPTA proposal that was presented to them earlier today.

The negotiation process with the FOTP has dragged on for almost two years.
Union negotiators agreed to three tentative agreements, which were turned down by the union membership. We went through a formal Fact Finding process overseen by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mediation. SEPTA agreed to the Fact Finder’s recommendations, the union rejected it.

Among the Fact Finder’s comments:

• “Whether or not included in base wages, this increase effectively increases base compensation not by 3% in 2008 as set forth in the wage provision but by 5.5% for officers beyond their third year of service, which is nearly the whole unit.”
• Although I am aware the FOTP membership provides police services and even this new level of compensation does not equal their pay with that of their comparators, such as the Philadelphia Police Department, the July agreement increases are greater than what I would expect any comparable police force will receive over the next few years.”

It is our hope and expectation that union negotiators would quickly return to the bargaining to end this unnecessary job action.

We must emphasize that security on the the SEPTA system will be equal to that which we provided before the strike.