The Nation - News from March 16, 1986

A state mediator shuttled between negotiators for the Philadelphia Transit Authority and the union representing bus, subway and trolley drivers to try to prevent a strike today that would strand 400,000 city commuters. Mediator Edward Feehan disputed earlier contentions by union officials that a settlement on a new contract was imminent. “There’s still some negotiating to be done,” he said. At issue in the contract talks were the union’s bid for increased pension benefits and the transit authority’s desire to hire part-time workers for use during peak commuting times.