BART Strike Looms As Labor Negotiations Become Increasingly Contentious

[alp227]

Source: KCBS-AM San Francisco

Bay Area Rapid Transit workers placed leaflets at stations around the Bay Area Thursday morning as their contract talks with management has become increasingly contentious.

The unions and the transit agency have 10 days before contracts with five unions are set to expire. More than 2,500 unionized workers could walk out on July 1st.

Service Employees International Union Local 1021 – which represents 1,430 mechanics, custodians and clerical workers - and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 – which represents 945 train operators, station agents and foreworkers - will hold strike authorization votes on Tuesday.

SEIU Local 1021 spokeswoman Leah Berlanga said the unions have to give management 72 hours’ notice before going on strike, and that workers still hope a strike can be averted.

Read more: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/06/20/bart-labor-negotiations-become-increasingly-contentious/

[KamaAina]

1. Oh gods, no

never mind the traffic nightmare. I'm looking at being stranded down here cut off from civilization for the rest of the summer.

The hell of it is, BART is about the only public agency in CA that has any money, thanks to the half-cent sales tax in the three BART counties. They could easily grant the unions their demands. But union-busting has become par for the course here, even for Democrats like San Jose mayor Chuck Reed.

[railsback]

2. Yeah, I'm all for unions and bargaining

but BART employees are some of the highest paid in the country. I haven't seen the demands, but I'll guess this will come down to demanding BART contribute more into pensions while the employees pay less. Its not like they're hurting on salaries.

[demosincebirth]

3. You are so right. I have a nephew that's been working for BART since he was 20 years old. He is

45 now and planning to retire in a few more years. Makes 110 thousand plus a year. All benefits are paid for by the employer. Not too shabby. Oh well, more power to 'em.

[railsback]

7. Yes, more power to 'em

but where do you draw the line? BART is really over a barrel because of its importance to hundreds of thousands of commuters. This isn't like a hotel union or a fruit picker union. Now its bordering on extortion.

[beltanefauve]

5. Yes they do

And that's due to some hard-won collective bargaining. Highest in the country, yes, as the cost of living in the Bay Area is also the highest in the country. What's at stake now is that the station agents and others haven't had a raise in nine years.

[railsback]

6. Station agent salaries averaged over $90k back in 2005

$60k + salary AND $29k in perks, more than a NY station agent.

[Omaha Steve]

4. K&R!