This was a common reaction, among many SEPTA users, to the threat of a SEPTA strike that was supposed to occur on Sunday, March 15, at 12:00 AM. When news of this strike hit the school, the administration became worried. If SEPTA would go on strike, many students wouldn’t even bother coming to school.
Many students actually wouldn’t mind a SEPTA strike. “I think it’s cool because I don’t have to go to school”, Said sophomore Nataly Ortiz, apathetic at the idea of a strike, “I wouldn’t be able to.”SEPTA workers threatened to strike because of the SEPTA administration’s contract expiration date. SEPTA workers’ contracts are supposed to expire March 15; hence the reason workers planned to go on strike on March 15. The Transport Workers Union Local 234 is disgruntled with SEPTA because they cannot come to a contract agreement. The TWU has been fighting SEPTA’s proposals to the contract. "[SEPTA] is unable to articulate any real justifications for their proposals," said TWU spokesperson Bruce Bodner. "They're unable to show factually the premise behind any problem." However, how does the third party feel about a SEPTA strike? SEPTA and the TWU can have their disputes, but how do the people that “actually matter”, the users of SEPTA services, feel?
At Constitution High School, Dr. Davidson sent out papers around the school for students to take home to their parents. The paper warned both students and parents about the possible upcoming SEPTA strike, and what the school, the school administration, and parents, would or should do if said strike were to occur. The paper informed parents, students, and staff that regardless of a strike school “would continue as scheduled.” It also said that if students “are not present in school they would be marked ‘excused absence’.” This was a relief to most students, because they have a hard time getting to school regardless of SEPTA working or not. “I would not be able to attend school because my mother has to go to work, so she can't take me,” exclaimed sophomore Reshay Johnson. “My other family members have to go to work also, so no one would be able to drop me off to school and pick me up.”
While some students were simply worried, others were livid. Kate Chapman exclaimed her anger about the strike. She gave reasons as to why SEPTA “has no right” to strike. ““They have [expletive] service and dirty buses and trains, plus a ridiculous price to get on a [expletive] bus! Everything is dirty and it smells like [urine]. Getting thrown up on by a drunk isn’t exactly the way I like to end my day! The drivers are ignorant and so are some of the people. What makes them think they should go on strike?” Kate wasn’t the only one with opinions on SEPTA and the point of them striking. “I feel like it’s a little bit of a waste of time because there services are not going 2 improve”, Reshay stated. “The workers pay might go up, but that’s about it.”
However, the huge thing concerning students is what the strike means to SEPTA workers. Many students had differing opinions on whether or not, due to the state of the economy, SEPTA workers needed, or even deserved any benefit from this strike; as well as if we could pay for SEPTA after a new contract was agreed on. “They don’t deserve it (most of them) and we certainly can’t afford it”, Kate said. “Our city can use the money (more than SEPTA) for so much more. We can rebuild neighborhoods, make them safer, and beautify this city beyond [the] tourist trap we call “center city”.”
Others had different opinions. “Yes they should because they might not be getting paid enough, and prices on everything these days are going up higher and higher”, Reshay said. “People have families to support and they might not be getting enough money to support their families. I do, but I don't think they deserve more money because some of SEPTA’s workers are rude: they’re late, off schedule, sometimes leave you, or they shut the doors in your face. But others do work hard, and are nice.”Students also felt that a SEPTA strike wouldn’t change a thing about SEPTA. “I don’t think their services will improve because they’ve been on many strikes before and nothing has changed”, Reshay said. “They still are late and rude. They just hire anybody these days!”
Fortunately, for Constitution High School Student’s, and most people in Philadelphia, SEPTA workers and the TWU have agreed to not go on strike. However it is clear that Philadelphians need their SEPTA, but it is evident the SEPTA must recognize their passengers’ plea for change.
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