Stated Meeting, June 12, 2008

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Again, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco for a motion on Resolution No. 080554.

Thank you, Madam President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. for today. Are there speeches on the part of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I'd like to bring to your attention and, of course, to my colleagues' attention about a current labor dispute which may affect the safety of our citizens who use our public transportation system. I would like to point out that the Transit Police make $10,000 less than their brothers and sisters of the Philadelphia Police force, even though they go through the exact same rigorous training as their brothers and sisters of the Philadelphia Police force. In addition, as evidenced by the recent spate of serious crimes and one terrible murder in the subway system, Transit cops face the same danger cop colleagues above the ground. And with gas prices rising, public transportation ridership is way up, putting more pressure on the Transit cops to protect more and more people with inadequate resources. And because their salary and benefit packages are so under market, attrition is a serious problem for the Transit Police. The average annual attrition rate is 20 percent, which is way, way too high. And it's logical that this is going to happen, because if you deal with the same training and risk as a beat cop, why would you stay on as a Transit cop to make 10,000 less a year and have higher benefits, co-pay? They haven't had a raise in a half a decade. The three percent annual salary increases on the table from SEPTA is way, way too low. That equates to a mere $900 a year, and that's before taxes for an entry-level Transit cop. The maximum salary level for a Transit cop is $49,000. At the very least, SEPTA administration should submit to binding arbitration to the police as a show of good faith. Thank you, Madam President.

You're welcome. Are there speeches on the part of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.

Thank you, Madam President. Today I rise to talk about the -- we have information that on June 19th, the Board of Revision of Taxes will consider a complaint filed by an advocacy group, a tax advocacy group --

Councilwoman, I'm sorry. Okay. Please proceed. We're having a hard time hearing you.

Thank you, Madam President. We understand that on June 19th, the Board of Revision of Taxes will hear an issue that an advocacy group is bringing before them to deal with the issue of full valuation. I understand in the Northeast Times article just yesterday there were some quotes by Controller Butkovitz dealing with this issue, but I rise to say as all of us know, this Council supported; in fact, we had on the ballot in May of '07, the question of whether or not we should change taxes, and the voters voted five to two in agreement that we do not change taxes. And certainly this whole issue of full tax valuation obviously is coming before -- there's a threat of a lawsuit before Common Pleas Court, and certainly we urge those who want to make this change to consider that the voters of this city voted five to two to sustain our issue that taxes not be changed and that we not go to full tax valuation. So we ask the Board to consider this on their June 19th Board hearing. Thank you very much.

You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.

Thank you, Madam President. As Chairman of this Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, I've become aware, like my colleague, Councilman Kelly, of the threat, the impending threat of a job action, a strike, by the Fraternal Order of Transit Police this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. These are 200 first responders certified in homeland security for our transportation system. SEPTA and the union seemingly have come to an impasse after a 30-month negotiation process. I want to urge today that cooler heads prevail and that we do everything possible to avert this job to the unions and I've asked them to continue to engage in negotiations right up to their deadline and, if necessary, beyond their deadline, and they are considering this request. As we are aware, the unions have also brought a lawsuit attempting to settle whether impartial binding negotiations can be used to deal with this union negotiation, and I'm asking them once again to allow the court system to consider that possibility as opposed to a strike. In the long run, it makes sense for the State Legislature to cover these first responders under Act 111, and I've reached out to my colleagues at the State level, including Senator Hughes, to consider amending this Act to cover SEPTA Transit Police. Ultimately, I am requesting that cooler heads prevail, that the negotiations continue. We cannot afford our subway systems are any less safe because of the lack of professionals that are trained in homeland security not being there. I hope that cooler heads prevail today. I've reached out to them to consider not taking this job action, and I would urge my colleagues to join me in this request. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.

Madam President, am I the last one?

Yes.

Actually, I just wanted to -- Councilwoman Miller had to leave briefly from the Chambers, and on her behalf, I just wanted to remind everyone to please go into the Caucus Room for CPR training.

Okay. Thank you. speeches on the part of the majority? (No response.)

Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke for a motion to adjourn.

Now the big one. Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, June 19th, 10:00 a.m., 2008.

Do I hear a second and a third and a fourth? (Duly seconded.)

It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, June 19th. All in favor will say aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you. CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on June 12, 2008, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________ MICHELE L. MURPHY RPR-Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)