Gov. Rendell on SEPTA Strike

" today to the Philadelphia transit strike this has importance nationwide everyone. He all the raw numbers we first told you about yesterday -- The average salary of the walk up 52000 policy they have a note my awful is at an annual built in full aside right. The average cost of the -- it will buy health insurance that 520 bucks a year that is. Only ten dollars a week that's less than the 530 bucks a year -- in union dues. Bubble we're joined by Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell who has called the welcome is nuts for going out on strike governor supplies that you whether -- And could well that's -- to keep notes and it's got to."

" To turn down who you're talking about -- already exists in their salary and benefit package. To turn down the offer that management made and I helped move management because that. Management is -- declining ridership in the short run. So mistaking -- and we put a little of our transportation flex. Economic development dollars and this. So I'll move management we moved them in a position where this was an excellent contract with the union under any economic times but in the midst of this recession. This is a great contract and they were not still walk out."

" But that what is it a great deal for the attacks but yeah. I think is has national implications because all across the country we've made promises for pension and health benefits for retired government welcomes how to put it to you got -- we can't afford it we can't."

" Well this is an affordable contract that was that one thing that it was clear with such as management we needed to be able to afford. Every part of this contract so for example his pension increases in the contract but that's paid for by higher level of contribution by the employees. So it was a win for chapter five years of labor peace. Which helps build up ridership. It was a win for the union because they did get benefit increases in even in that time of economic Chris."

" Actually got yeah who. And so I'm terribly sorry governor but but look if you're transit -- Philadelphia is on -- or you -- a bus driver in New York City you look for the state. You can retire at the age of 55. I live for the rest of your life on half pay and basically free health gap for the rest of -- that's a promise."

" That is extremely frail health care is incorrect I got free health care is incorrect what they plan you have to have thirty years you have to have thirty years ahead. So it's not like you can retire at 55 after eight or nine years and you have to have their failures and for every year or less than thirty. The package declined significantly. But at 55 you can retire and 88 it is half playful life. At extremely cheap medical -- a life amid bat is an enormous promise sick it's it's a great package there's no question about it which is why these guys were nuts for going on strike. And why they were even crazier the way they did it. -- because they did nothing to tick off the entire one million transit riders. Because they did -- at 3 in the morning people woke up they have no idea the subways weren't running. If they listen to radio or TV went down the subway stop and found. No transportation and no chance to make alternative. Plans with the unions should have done. Is gone on strike at the end of the rush hour for the evening shifts of you don't have time to put to to play."

" Gupta back in the early nineteen pages president Ronald Reagan fire led the -- will focus when they went down upon what was essentially an illegal strike. Would you consider doing the same thing the nuclear option -- Philly -- what look at they go out on strike. That stranding thousands and thousands of people would you consider firing him."

" Who we can't under the other provisions that apply here in the collective bargaining agreement we can't do that. But but I'll give an example Stuart when I was there in 1998. We took a forty day strike forty days that's more than five weeks transit was out. In Philadelphia to win back control of management to change the work rules that it literally given the employee's control of management and management decisions. That was very very important and it -- that in a much better financial position. And sectors doing well except the last four months. Ridership has been increasing dramatically. Perceptive. And we're headed in the right direction and mass transit as a great future. But the men and women make up the union has got to understand the economic realities."

" I'm just not -- the tax is but that the full count the money required in the years to come the governor Ed Rendell Rendell. A follow this would be the most important and Stuart hear is this contract will be concluded without any additional increase in fares got it. Governor Ed Rendell that's for joining us appreciate it."