SEPTA Strike Ends in Time for Election Day

Employees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), numbering greater than 5000, have tentatively ended their call to strike in time for Election Day. In a bid to gain recognition over pension benefits and time off disputes, SEPTA employees called to strike on November 1st, just 7 days before the Presidential election, resulting in massive gridlock and extended commutes. Public transportation services in Philadelphia, split between subways, buses, and trolleys provide nearly 1 million rides each weekday, many of these rides for residents who don't own an automobile. 

Lack of transportation would have had massive implications for Philadelphia residents who intended to vote, but had no convenient avenue to take to the polls. Philadelphia and it's expansive suburban swath to the North and East of the city show a Democratic majority, and potentially could have had a severe impact on voter turnout. The strike ended on November 7th, with many in Pennsylvania's local government citing the implications and questioning the legality of not providing transportation services to residents at Election time. 

Post by Dan Hamann

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/11/07/philadelphia-transit-strike-ends-union-septa-reach-deal-reports-say/93412510/