Despite the lack of a new contract, or even near agreement between workers and SEPTA, the Transport Workers Union in Philadelphia decided they will not strike when their old contract ends this Sunday night. SEPTA buses and trains provide daily transportation to 916,000 riders, making a strike very costly; but the union President, Willie Brown, has made a no-strike promise for the time being. The union represents 4,600 SEPTA workers in Philadelphia, and any strike would effectively halt subway and train transportation throughout the city.
See "Though sides 'far apart,' no SEPTA strike coming", Dan Geringer, Philadelphia Daily News, March 11, 2009