Philly transit union says pact reports 'premature'
PHILADELPHIA
National News, AP - 3 weeks ago
A national spokesman for the Philadelphia transit system's largest union says reports of a tentative agreement were "premature" and the negotiations aimed at ending a five-day strike continue.
Transport Workers Union Local 234 spokesman Jamie Horwitz says progress is being made and a counteroffer is being made to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority through U.S. Rep. Robert Brady, D-Pa.
Horwitz declined comment on Gov. Ed Rendell's announcement Friday night that the two sides had reached agreement on a tentative pact. SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney says Horwitz's statements are "brand-new to us."
The union walked out early Tuesday in a dispute largely centered on pension benefits, idling city subways, trolleys and buses.