A potential SEPTA strike that was scheduled to occur Friday will be postponed following a union decision to extend its contract for two months.
As the potential strike loomed University officials issued an e-mail to all undergraduates yesterday detailing a contingency plan in the event of a strike.
Preparations included a free bus route running from Lindenwold Terminal at 16th and Locust streets to the Mercy Wellness Center at 69th Street Terminal.
These efforts will unlikely be needed now.
The contract for the Transport Workers Union Local 234 -- which represents SEPTA's bus, subway and trolley operators and mechanics, primarily on routes operating within Philadelphia -- was originally to expire at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
However, negotiations seem to have broken down over the issue of health care.
SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney stressed the need for union workers to accept employee contributions to health insurance.
Meanwhile, TWU Local 234 -- which numbers approximately 4,600 members -- has demanded more time to examine health care options.
The union's contract will now be extended until June 15.
A strike would have had a significant impact on SEPTA's bus, subway and Market-Frankford El service within city limits. However, suburban bus, trolley and Regional Rail services would not have been affected.
TWU Local 234 is SEPTA's largest union.
-- Cynthia Yeung
