PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Labor experts say striking transit workers in Philadelphia may have a tough time earning sympathy from riders who are losing their own jobs and taking salary cuts.
The city transportation system's largest union went on strike early Tuesday over wage, pension and health care issues.
Thousands of commuters scrambled to find other ways to work as buses, subways and trolley operations ground to a halt.
Gov. Ed Rendell says he is stunned that the union walked out on a proposed contract that included an 11.5 percent wage increase over five years. He says that's a great deal in a down economy.
But labor expert Robert Trumble says workers are more determined to hang on to what they have in tough times. He says they also look more critically at income distribution.
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