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Port authority, union meeting in attempt to avoid strike
Half-hour meetings were scheduled with each side tonight and possibly could be held at county Chief Executive Dan Onorato's Grant Street offices, Downtown. The governor's staff also reserved most of Thursday to negotiate.
The meetings come just four days before the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 plans to hold a strike vote Sunday in Oakland.
Union leaders recommend members approve a strike. If they do, workers could walk off the job any time after the vote.
The labor dispute would affect the 228,000 daily riders who rely on Port Authority's buses, light rail and ACCESS vans. Port Authority provides service across the county and in parts of surrounding counties.
It was not clear this morning whether Rendell or Onorato will participate in the talks. Rendell plans to be in Pittsburgh tonight and tomorrow for other events.
Rendell and his staff helped resolve a weeklong strike of Philadelphia bus drivers earlier this month that virtually shut down the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, called SEPTA.
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