Features

BART strike could start Tuesday

Bay City News Service
Monday October 15, 2001

OAKLAND – A BART strike starting Tuesday is very possible, according to an official with one of three unions representing BART employees who says it’s likely that workers will vote to turn down BART’s “best and final offer’’ Monday after months of contract negotiations. 

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3993 will vote on the issue tomorrow in Oakland, and AFSCME President Norma del Mercado said she is recommending the contract be turned down. 

“I’m recommending a no vote,’’ del Mercado said last week, explaining that although the latest offer by BART calls for a 22 percent pay raise, the issue is not about money. 

“We have no argument against the wage and benefits package. It’s that our main issues were never addressed,’’ she said. “Our number one issue is the basic right to protect our jobs and (BART) has never addressed that.’’ 

The union alleges its members are passed over for promotions that go to consultants and contractors. A court-ordered cooling-off period that bars the union representing some-230 employees to strike expires at midnight tomorrow. BART issued its final offer to the union last Thursday. 

BART’s two larger unions, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 and Service Employees International Union Local 790, approved their contracts last month. The two unions representing some-2,600 employees say they will honor AFSCME’s decision and strike as well if the 230-member union rejects the offer.