Rendell: SEPTA Strike Would Hold Down Voter Turnout In Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell addressed the SEPTA strike, telling Rich Zeoli on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT that the legislature should consider re-classifying the transportation workers as essential and take away their right to strike.
"They never have traditionally and I don't know of any jurisdiction that does consider them essential workers and therefore unable to strike...It's something that, probably, the legislature should consider going forward."
He worried that if the dispute is not resolved soon, it could boost Donald Trump's chances of taking the commonwealth in next week's presidential election.
"This will hold down the turnout in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia area. I guess that would be good for Donald Trump. Who knows? A strike like this usually gets settled. Now, usually. When I was Governor, there were two SETPA strikes and we settled them both within 12 hours of the union going out on strike. I don't know, but if it exists until next Tuesday, it's real problem and a real plus for Donald Trump."
Rendell doesn't think schools should punish students, should they not be able to get to class.
"If they don't have any alternate means of getting to school, they just can't go to school. I think the school can't hold it against them and can't count it as them not being in school that day."
He believes Governor Wolf will eventually attempt to intervene to bring the stoppage to an end.
"If I were Governor right now, I would, and I think Governor Wolf is going to get involved personally. I would get involved personally and see if I could settle the strike. That's what I did the two strikes that took place during my time as Governor, I did get involved and I was able to bring about a settlement of both strikes."
