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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 24, 2016 09:39 AM |
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| From: | Representative Kate Harper |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Cosponsorship of Legislation to Prohibit Strikes by SEPTA Employees |
| Please find attached a copy of legislation I intend to introduce in the very near future to amend the Public Employee Relations Act (Act 195 of 1970) to prohibit strikes by employees of SEPTA. As many if you are aware, the current contract covering more than 5,700 SEPTA workers expires at midnight on Oct. 31st. Workers recently voted to authorize a strike after the current contract expires if no new agreement is agreed to; any walkout wouldn't begin until Nov. 1st, and wouldn't affect Regional Rail lines. If ongoing negotiations fall through and employees make good on their threat, it would be the 10th strike in SEPTA's 50-year history - the most of any transit agency in the country. Under Pennsylvania law, there are various types of public employees that the Legislature has deemed to be vital to public safety/public interest, and who the Legislature has prohibited from striking (such as police officers, firemen. and prison guards). I strongly believe that any disruption of the SEPTA public transportation system creates a public safety hazard (increased traffic with increased risk of accidents), creates a great inconvenience to the public that relies upon it for transportation, and has a harmful effect on local economy. We cannot permit this vital public service to be disrupted. My legislation adds SEPTA employees to the list of employees in Act 195 that are already prohibited from striking. It is important to note that Act 195 does contain a form of “advisory” nonbinding arbitration to end collective bargaining impasses for certain employees (prison guards/court system employees, etc..) who do not have the right to strike. I believe that this may not be appropriate means of ending collective bargaining impasse for SEPTA employees, and my legislation does not apply this process to SEPTA employees. If you wish to cosponsor this legislation, please contact Alex in my office at 717-787-2801. |
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Memo Updated: October 24, 2016 09:40 AM