PHILADELPHIA (November 3, 2009)--Striking transit workers in Philadelphia may have a tough time earning sympathy from riders who are losing their own jobs and taking salary cuts, officials say.

The city transportation system's largest union went on strike early Tuesday over wage, pension and health care issues, leaving thousands of commuters to scramble to find other ways to work as buses, subways and trolley operations ground to a halt.

Gov. Ed Rendell said he’s stunned that the union walked out on a proposed contract that included an 11.5 percent wage increase over five years, which he said is a great deal in a down economy.

But labor expert Robert Trumble says workers are more determined to hang on to what they have in tough times.

He said they also look more critically at income distribution.