Here’s how the Philadelphia school district is preparing for a possible SEPTA strike in the city

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — SEPTA union workers in Philadelphia will remain on the job for now as negotiations continue for a new contract.

A possible strike was set for midnight, but both the union and SEPTA management say that won’t happen just yet.

“We are willing to go the extra mile and provide additional time to reach a fair agreement,” said TWU Local 234 President Brian Pollitt. “However, let me be clear, if SEPTA’s leaders do not meet our demands, we will be on the line.”

If a strike were to happen, it would shut down service in Philadelphia City. The service disruption will affect about 55,000 students who rely on city bus and subway services, the School District of Philadelphia said.

READ MORE: SEPTA Strike Guide 2024: What to know if workers hit the picket line

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

• The District monitors staffing levels closely and will deploy staffing support to the Central Office as needed.

• In cases where student or staff attendance is dramatically affected by the strike, the district may recommend that a school transition to virtual instruction.

• In such a case, district and school management will ensure that all students, including and 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 and virtual instruction at the same time.

• Students who are tardy or absent due to SEPTA-related travel challenges will not be marked tardy or will be excused upon receipt of a note from a parent or guardian.

• Staff arriving late due to SEPTA-related travel challenges will be recorded as excused.

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

Benjamin Franklin High School senior Mejonna King Jordan is one of those students who may be affected.

“Because I live in Germantown, so I live further in Germantown, so I had to catch the bus and the train to go to school,” the 18-year-old said.

Students’ commuting and education may be affected if there is a strike.

“I rely on SEPTA 80% of the time to get anywhere,” said 18-year-old Aleanna Ramos, a senior at Central High School. “Everybody here uses SEPTA to get to school, so either I don’t come or the school has to figure something out for us.”

Superintendent Tony Watlington says the district is closely monitoring the situation.

“No matter what happens, schools will open and we will be prepared to receive students,” Watlington said.

The school district says if there is a strike, students who are tardy or absent due to SEPTA-related travel challenges will either not be marked tardy or excused if they have a ticket.

He added that while in-person learning is the “gold standard,” virtual learning may be recommended if student or staff participation is dramatically impacted by transit issues.

“I can’t do virtual again,” Ramos said. “Covid messed me up really bad grades-wise, personality-wise. I can’t do virtual again.”

SEPTA has released a guide with travel times for riders in the event of a strike. That guide is published here on SEPTA.org.

How will SEPTA be affected?

Spokesman Andrew Busch said that if the union calls a strike, it will shut down all bus, trolley and subway/EL services in 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 normal, and suburban transit services—buses, Route 101 and 102 trolleys, the Norristown High-Speed ​​Line—would operate.

After the strike authorization vote last month, union representatives said they are fighting for more pay and improved safety.

“They can find some money to come to the table and find the economic justice that we’re seeking,” said Brian Pollitt, the president of Local 234.

Pollitt said their initial proposal to SEPTA was a one-year contract with a 10% pay raise, but SEPTA countered with a $1,000 bonus if members made concessions on their health care.

The union said it rejected the offer. SEPTA would not discuss the specifics, saying negotiations are ongoing.

The union represents more than 4,500 workers who operate buses, trolleys and subway lines in the city of Philadelphia.

The union president says SEPTA has the funds to leverage.

“They have close to a $600 million rainy day fund,” Pollitt said.

But SEPTA claims that’s simply not true.

“We need that fund to pay bills every month,” Busch said. “That money is not sitting aside, it’s not a cash reserve,” Busch explained.

The transit agency is facing a $240 million deficit after COVID-19 aid funds expired. Recently, SEPTA proposed changes including fare increases and eliminating free parking, but they need a long-term solution at the state level, Busch explained.

The union also said in that contract that they were also promised greater safety measures.

“We’re looking at bulletproof vests for operators who want them. We’re looking at a bulletproof enclosure for the bus operator,” Pollitt said.

Pollitt said they began negotiations in June and have shown strong cooperation with SEPTA.