Philly transit talks postponed until Monday

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Negotiators for Philadelphia's transit agency and its largest union have postponed a scheduled Sunday evening meeting and plan to meet Monday morning instead.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority spokesman Richard Maloney said Sunday he believes the two sides are "slowly but surely getting there." A union spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The next round of talks is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Gov. Ed Rendell's regional office in Philadelphia.

Rendell has told both sides to stay at the bargaining table or risk "significant consequences" of losing state support for mass transit.

The union represents more than 5,000 bus drivers, subway and trolley operators and mechanics who have been working without a contract since early spring.

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