Two incongruent demand lists stand between SEPTA and its union workers -- and consequently between Philadelphia residents and their means of transportation.
Until SEPTA and its employees -- who are members of Transport Workers Union Local 234 -- can work out a new contract, workers will continue a strike that is now in its fifth day.
With each side clinging to its own position and no further negotiations arranged, no end to this controversial issue is in sight.
The last round of negotiations ended unsuccessfully after two hours Tuesday night.
Legal Studies professor Richard Shell, an expert in negotiations, said there is no set protocol for discussions like those between SEPTA and the union.
"It can take any one of an infinite number of forms, and it can take place over a long period of time," Shell said.
Union workers have been on strike since 12:01 Monday morning, but their contract expired in June.
Both sides have brought proposed contracts to the table, but neither has accepted the other's proposal, and the issue of health care is largely to blame.
SEPTA is asking that workers contribute 5 percent of their monthly insurance premiums -- a demand that the union has rejected in favor of its own payment scheme.
"We pledged that we would make a percentage contribution based on salaries to cover SEPTA's health-care costs," Local 234 spokesman Bob Bedard said. "As soon as we made that offer, SEPTA demanded that we do more. They demanded regressive changes in the health-care plan itself, so in effect [workers] would be paying more and getting less."
Under the union's previous contract, employees did not pay insurance premiums during the first 90 days of employment -- and would thus receive no health coverage during that period. After that time, workers would pay 30 percent of their premiums for one year and 20 percent for the second year. But, after 27 months of employment, health coverage would be free.
SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney said that there will be no compromise until the union resumes negotiations.
Bedard said the union will not discuss SEPTA's current proposal.
With regard to how long the strike will continue, Bedard pushed the ball back to SEPTA.
"The million-dollar answer SEPTA can give you, we can't," he said.
But with SEPTA remaining steadfast, there are currently no answers for Philadelphia residents -- just empty trolleys.
