Governor: Talks in transit strike have broken off

PHILADELPHIA
National News, AP - 3 weeks ago

Gov. Ed Rendell says a negotiations in Philadelphia's transit strike have broken off.

Early Saturday evening, Rendell called for members of the city's largest transit union to vote on a contract proposal presented by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

Rendell announced late Friday night that a tentative agreement has been reached to end the transit strike.

But a national spokesman for the transit union early Saturday called the reports "premature."

Transport Workers Union Local 234 has been on strike for five days

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — 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.