SEPTA has erected metal fences around the 40th Street portal in preparation for the potential workers strike, according to the University City District (UCD). The exact purpose of the fences is not clear.

The strike was expected to begin as early as today (Nov. 8), right after the expiration of the contract between SEPTA and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234, but since some progress was made during the negotiations of the new contract in the past couple of days it has been postponed.

“After months of bargaining we finally began to make some progress over the past couple days, but we simply ran out of time. We’re willing to go the extra mile and grant additional time to reach a fair agreement,” TWU Local 234 President Brian Pollitt said yesterday. “However, let me be clear if SEPTA’s managers fail to meet our demands, we will be on the picket line by the end of the month.”

The union is seeking wage increases and “desperately needed” improvements on safety and security for both passengers and transit workers. As of Nov. 7, SEPTA offered a one-year contract with no wage increase.

Union members voted on Oct. 27 to go on strike if a walkout was recommended by the TWU Local 234 president. TWU Local 234 represents more than 5,000 workers at SEPTA.