OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- The third and largest union representing BART workers voted overwhelmingly Thursday night to authorize a strike against the transit agency.
The transit agency is unhappy with a contract proposal calling for a three percent cost of living increase. BART is hoping to squeeze $100 million in savings from health and pension benefits.
KCBS' George Harris reports
Station agents, train operators and technicians expressed their anger and frustration at a Board of Directors meeting.
SEIU Local 1021 is the third BART union to allow a strike if a new contract is not in place by July 1.
A strike would leave 355,000 riders each weekday searching for carpools and county buses. A BART spokesman said he was optimistic a strike would be averted since the unions had summoned a mediator, due in the Bay Area on Friday.
Mediation helped to work out an eleventh hour deal during negotiations in 2005.
The labor concessions BART is seeking come on top of fare increases in July and December to close a $250 million operating shortfall over the next four years.
(jro)
E-Mail Story
Print Story
DW.pageParams = {
siteId: '255'
};
DW.clear();
DW.trackClicks();
