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By Doug Cunningham

Philadelphia’s transit workers went on strike Tuesday over health care costs, wages and pension issues. Transport Workers Union Local 234 represents about 5,000 drivers, operators and mechanics. The strike has shut down the city’s transit system. The striking workers are trying to hold on to what they’ve worked so hard for over the years against pressure to take cuts that include increased health care costs. The strike comes during baseball’s World Series, but after the games switched to New York City. Union president Willie Brown says the workers decided to strike after progress in the contract negotiations ground to a halt. No new talks are scheduled. Workers in the union authorized a strike in a vote October 25th. A transit strike in Philadelphia in 2005 lasted seven days.