SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Some BART workers claim cost-cutting moves by the transit department are putting them and the public at risk, and they are arguing that Bart needs to reprioritize.
KCBS’ Holly Quan Reports
At the BART board meeting Thursday, electrician Harry Gordon complained about BART’s skeleton staffing. He points out what the union calls ‘dangerous instances’ of untrained workers having to retrieve protective cover-boards that come loose off the electrified third rail.
”When that breaks the train is stopped, which is why they have electricians out there,” said Gordon. “But now they don’t have enough electricians, so what they’re doing is sending out anybody that’s available.”
The union also claims that transit vehicle mechanics have been charged with checking their own work, rather than having it reviewed by an inspector.
BART spokesman Linton Johnson says mechanics are now part of a team responsible for a set of rail cars so that workers take more ownership of the equipment.
”Safety is our number one priority above anything and everything. We will not cut into safety,” said Johnson. “We are looking for ways to make it even safer. So any suggestion that we are trying to make cuts around safety is ridiculous and offensive to this agency.”
(MGO)
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