Nutter

The six-day stoppage of mass transit in Philadelphia is over, as SEPTA and the state reach an agreement with the leadership of the Transit Workers Union Local 234.

The mainstream press across Philadelphia is turning commuters against transit workers. Instead of practicing journalism and explaining to the public why transit workers have gone on strike, they have instead given a platform to one side of the contract negotiations and helped the Mayor pit working people across the city against the drivers and engineers who get us to work everyday.

Philadelphia is in crisis. People across the city are feeling the effects of the global economic downturn and wondering what the future will bring for them and their families. The city has finally resolved a long, drawn out, and deeply unsettling budgeting process, and it feels now like the dust has finally settled. But even though massive service cuts and layoffs are off the table for now, this economic crisis is far from over, and we in Philadelphia now have a clear idea of the kinds of solutions our city government is willing to present.

While delivering his budget to City Council, Mayor Nutter declared war on Philadelphia's municipal unions stating that he would seek to slash health care and pension benefits for city workers while reducing the number of paid vacation days.

Lots of shots flying about the upcoming presentation from Mayor Michael Nutter of the proposed budget to City Council. Be there on Thursday morning at City Hall in the Chambers. Until then here are the notes and articles from our friends on the issue...