Philadelphia transit strike ends

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Transport Workers Union leaders in Philadelphia said the six-day transit strike was over, although officials said normal commuting Monday would be unlikely.

TWU Local 234 leader Willie Brown, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pa., and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Agency officials held a press conference at 12:45 a.m. outside the Center City office of Gov. Gene Rendell, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Negotiators reached an agreement Friday, but union leaders balked at the contract offer Saturday, causing confusion among commuters and distrust among negotiators, the newspaper said.

Brady said, "negotiations never broke off … some numbers had to be massaged … everybody cooperated."

After the tentative agreement failed, the governor threatened to take back state funds that were to pay for $1,250 bonuses for 5,100 transit workers. But, Rendell Monday said, "Willie Brown did his job well for his members."

"The system will be up and running," Monday morning, the governor said, but many commuters were expected to stick to their alternative plans, as the announcement was made while they were asleep.

The new contract offer needs to be ratified by union members. It sets raises and pensions for workers for the next five years.