The first strike in the 64-year history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike meant free rides for about 650,000 vehicles yesterday, the first travel day of the Thanksgiving weekend.

	John Beale, Post-Gazette Tom Stowver, a striking maintenance worker for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, answers a phone call while picketing at the turnpike's interchange in Monroeville. There were no backups since traffic was permitted to pass through without paying a toll. Click photo for larger image. Related coverage Union trucks forced to go the long way

But the labor dispute that has deteriorated into a war of words could get worse.

In at least three instances, turnpike officials said, tractor-trailer trucks stopped and blocked lanes at toll plazas. State police threatened to tow the vehicles, and the drivers were cited for obstructing traffic, a violation that could affect their commercial driver's licenses.

The truckers were thought to be showing support for Teamsters Locals 250 and 77, which represent the 1,800 toll collectors and maintenance employees who walked out at 4 a.m. yesterday. Other union truckers avoided the pike altogether to avoid crossing the picket line.

Turnpike officials have said their last "more than generous offer," which the union has refused to take back to its members for a vote, is final.

"If we offered anything more, it would be financially irresponsible on our part," Turnpike Chief Executive Officer Joe Brimmeier said.

Gov. Edward G. Rendell agreed, saying he believes the offer is not only fair but in some cases "more generous than the contract signed by state employees last year. I would urge union leadership to think hard about the offer that on balance is a good deal and to put this proposal out to the rank-and-file members for a vote."

Turnpike officials plan to turn to Rendell if they find that not enough management employees are on hand to handle routine maintenance, including de-icing and plowing roads. Rendell could be asked to activate the National Guard to help keep the toll road open in case of heavy snow.

And starting tomorrow, a temporary employment agency will be asked to provide people to replace toll collectors during the walkout. They will undergo six-hour training programs before receiving their assignments.

"Once we accomplish that, we'll start to collect fares again," Brimmeier said. "We want to do that as quickly as possible. The turnpike has financial responsibilities to meet."

While the toll plaza lanes were open, free and unrestricted for the day, turnpike officials were concerned about people going too fast. Few delays or problems were reported, however.

"Blowing through the toll booths is so sweet," Chris Grella, a computer consultant, said in an e-mail to the Post-Gazette. "I could get totally used to this."

The turnpike estimated it lost $2 million in tolls yesterday, one of its busiest days of the year. The loss was partly offset by about $400,000 in savings on regular and overtime wages and fringe benefit costs.

While the toll system was free on Day 1 of the strike, more than 200 managers and staff personnel were assigned to start at midnight last night to collect flat $2 cash tolls for passenger vehicles and $15 for commercial vehicles, regardless of distance traveled.

They will continue to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, until the employment service can provide personnel, Brimmeier said.

The three expansion facilities -- the Beaver Valley Expressway, Toll 66 (also known as the Greensburg bypass) and Mon-Fayette Expressway -- will continue to be toll-free for the length of the strike or until further notice.

State police also are working 12-hour shifts, and at least one patrol vehicle is assigned to every interchange. At least one wrecker is stationed at interchanges or being kept in proximity and ready to respond.

The contract with Teamsters Locals 250 and 77 expired Sept. 30, 2003. The last talks broke down at 10 p.m. Tuesday, six hours before the walkout began. Since then, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has given its support, criticizing turnpike management's "union-busting tactics."

In a joint statement yesterday, the two locals accused management of provoking the walkout by offering less and less in successive proposals and failing to bargain in good faith.

The turnpike's last offer included annual pay raises of 40 cents an hour, added to the $18.69 that toll collectors already earn; the same fully paid Highmark health care package as management; dental and vision insurance, plus a prescription program that requires, for the first time, a $6 co-payment; 15 paid holidays; four weeks of paid vacation after 16 years; and a no-layoff guarantee for the next three years.

On Aug. 1, the turnpike put into effect an average 42.5 percent toll increase designed to generate about $100 million in additional revenue each year. All of the money is earmarked to rebuild and update the toll road.

Brimmeier said Pennsylvania Turnpike workers are better compensated than 99 percent of their colleagues nationwide.

"I can't give away the store," he said.