The Port Authority of Allegheny County and its unions are trying to reach agreement on a new labor contract to replace the one that expired on July 1. (A table summarizing the two sides’ positions can be found here.) The two sides are in a state-required fact-finding process that will run into September. If that process ends without a new contract, the union will be able to go on strike without notice. Or, the lack of an affordable contract may prompt a shutdown of the Port Authority system.

The Pittsburgh business community must be prepared to ensure that workers can get to their jobs and that the regional economy keeps moving regardless of what happens with the Port Authority. This Web site includes resources that can help businesses prepare contingency plans to help their employees get to work and weather any kind of transit shutdown.

More than 40% of Downtown workers – about 40,000 people – use Port Authority transit service to get to their jobs every day. And even companies whose employees drive to work will be affected in the case of a transit shutdown, because parking Downtown and in the surrounding areas is already close to capacity (PDF file).

Take a few minutes to look at the material here and start crafting a plan to get your employees to work and Keep Pittsburgh Moving. Any questions? Click here.

Employer Toolkit

Employee Transit Survey (Word document)
By distributing this survey form to your employees, you can discover how much of your workforce uses transit.

Risk Assessment Matrix (PDF file)
By using this matrix to classify your divisions, departments, and/or employees, you can begin to understand how vulnerable you would be in the event of a transit strike or shutdown.

Contingency Planning Checklist (Word document)
Here are some suggestions to help you prepare a plan to ensure your employees can get to work in the event of a transit strike or shutdown.

Park-and-Ride Lots
A listing showing the more than 10,000 spaces available at more than 100 park-and-ride facilities across the region operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, PennDOT, and others. The lots could be used as carpool staging areas. We will be working to keep the Port Authority facilities open for use in the event of a strike or shutdown.

Company Ridesharing Regulations (PDF file)
Some companies may be considering providing some kind of transportation for employees. Here is a summary of what would qualify as a “rideshare” and fall outside the PA Public Utility Commission’s regulation of commercial common carriers.

Oakland Parking and Biking Resources (PDF file)
The Oakland Transportation Management Association has produced this map of public parking lots and bike racks in Oakland.

Sources of Useful Information

PghTransitInfo.com has the latest information on the status of the negotiations between the Port Authority and its labor unions, including a side by side comparison of what the Port Authority is offering and what the unions are asking for. The site is operated by the Port Authority.

CommuteInfo.org runs a carpool matching service for the region. It provides the contact information for potential carpool participants based on an individual’s residence, work location, and schedule. Setting up the carpool is up to the individuals involved. The website also includes other useful commuter information.