PHILADELPHIA -- A union representing more than 5,000 transit workers is extending the deadline for a strike that could disrupt bus and subway services during the World Series games in Philadelphia.

The union had threatened to go on strike as early as 12:01 a.m. this morning if talks with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority did not reach some accord.

But Allison Cooper, of Transport Workers Local 234, said late last night that the union agreed to a request from Gov. Ed Rendell that it continue negotiations until 6 p.m. today.

The new deadline would be about two hours before the start of Game Three of the Series between the Phillies and the New York Yankees.

The union and SEPTA are discussing issues related to wages, pensions and health care.

Dawn Johnson said she would be in a serious bind if SEPTA stops operating. Her two teens take city buses to high school while she drives a younger child to school. Then she boards the subway to get to work downtown.

"I don't know if I can say I blame them, even though it will put me in a bad place," said Ms. Johnson, 35, a training coordinator and union member herself. "I sympathize."

SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney called earlier labor talks "constructive" but stopped short of saying real progress was made. He said last night the union was meeting with a mediator and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady.

The Phillies and New York Yankees are scheduled to play the third, fourth and fifth games of the World Series today, tomorrow and Monday in Philadelphia. About 8,000 people typically take SEPTA to the baseball stadium for games, Mr. Maloney said.

The vast majority of the 810,000 people who use SEPTA buses, subway lines and trolleys are trying to get to work, not the World Series.

"It's really wonderful that Philadelphia is in the World Series," Mr. Maloney said. "But our focus and responsibility as a transit authority is to get upwards of 1 million people a day to work, to school, to doctor's appointments."

The union represents about 5,000 bus drivers, subway and trolley operators, and mechanics who make an average $52,000 a year. They are seeking an annual 4 percent wage hike while SEPTA is offering no raises in the first two years and 2 percent raises in the final two years of a four-year contract.

On health care, the union wants to keep its current contribution of 1 percent of salary, or about $10 a week on average. SEPTA wants to raise the contribution to 4 percent, noting that contributions of city and state workers are likewise going up.

SEPTA drivers and operators earn $14.54 to $24.24 an hour, and reach top pay after four years. Mechanics make $14.40 to $27.59 an hour, SEPTA said. Their contract, which expired in March, has a no-layoff provision.

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