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1200 SEPTA union members voted yesterday to authorize strike action by Transit Workers Union Local 234, representing over 5000 workers. Local president Willie Brown said that this is absolutely the last week they will work without contract, even though, with the World Series on its way to Philly, they say they hope to avoid a strike. The workers have been without a contract since March. Negotiation issues arose over wage increases, which were significantly smaller than they had been in past tough times, benefit caps, and health care premiums. However, SEPTA maintains that the unions numbers are wrong and that falls in ridership have forced their hands in wage freezes. Despite ridership decreases, over 1 million would be affected by a strike at SEPTA.