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Philly transit union says pact reports 'premature'

(AP)

A national spokesman for the Philadelphia transit system's largest union says reports of a tentative agreement were 'premature' and the negotiations aimed at ending a five-day strike continue.

Transport Workers Union Local 234 spokesman Jamie Horwitz says progress is being made and a counteroffer is being relayed to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority through U.S. Rep. Robert Brady, D-Pa.

He says if that is accepted, the union will quickly schedule a vote by the union board and the full membership _ but he says "none of that has happened as of yet."

He declined comment on Gov. Ed Rendell's announcement Friday night that the two sides had reached agreement on a tentative pact. SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney called the statements by Horwitz "brand-new to us."

The union walked out early Tuesday in a dispute largely centered on pension benefits, idling city subways, trolleys and buses.