Pennsy Pike and Teamsters Talking Again

Negotiations between Pennsylvania Turnpike officials and the Teamsters are scheduled to resume tomorrow, Tuesday Nov. 9, in Harrisburg.

Talks between the two sides ended in an impasse a week and a half ago, with Teamsters representatives alerting Turnpike management that the union might call a strike without notice.
Turnpike Chief Executive Officer Joe Brimmeier said he hopes a walkout can be avoided. "I am optimistic that we'll be able to resolve our differences and work out a new agreement that both sides can accept."
Some 2,000 union employees - including toll collectors and maintenance workers represented by Teamsters Locals 77 and 250 - have been working without a new contract for 13 months.
Since the initial strike threat, the Turnpike has had this notice on its web site:
"In the event of a strike by Turnpike union workers, E-ZPass and cash customers will have to pay temporary flat toll rates of $2 for passenger vehicles and $15 for commercial vehicles — regardless of distances traveled. Toll collectors will accept only cash. No toll tickets will be issued at entry. For E-ZPass customers with fares less than $2 (passenger vehicles) and less than $15 (commercial vehicles), accounts will be charged the actual fare."