SEPTA union criticizes COVID quarantine policy

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) largest union representing transit workers today criticized the agency for certain COVID-19 policies that the union says create disincentives for workers to follow health and safety guidelines.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 14 days of quarantine for those who have come in contact with an infected person, and it has become necessary for some SEPTA workers to be placed in quarantine multiple times, Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 234 officials said in a press release.

SEPTA has mandated that if a third period of quarantine is required, a worker would have to use their own leave and earn half-pay. Currently, SEPTA provides paid leave to TWU members who have been exposed to the virus or presumed to have been exposed. 

TWU officials said the policy may push workers struggling financially, who have exhausted their paid-leave, to return to work while still potentially contagious or sick.

“We want everyone who is a possible risk to riders and coworkers to stay away,” said TWU Local 234 President Willie Brown in a press release. “We should be creating incentives to be under quarantine, not disincentives. SEPTA is trying to save a buck because ridership is down, but making the workforce and riders sick won’t help the bottom line.”

Eight members of TWU 234 have died from COVID-19 and more than 400 have been infected, labor officials said. 

Last week, the union sent emails outlining pandemic safety concerns to each of SEPTA's board members.

TWU representatives also tried to place the issue on the meeting agenda when SEPTA management and TWU 234 leaders met Dec. 15. SEPTA’s managers declined to discuss the matter, union officials said.

SEPTA officials have not yet responded to Progressive Railroading’s request for comment.