SF Bay Area: Strike deadline looming; BART, unions return to talks

[RandySF]

OAKLAND, Calif. — After 153 days of contract talks, BART and its two major unions went back to the bargaining table again Sunday with just hours remaining before the transit system’s second major strike in three months.

The two unions -- the Service Employees International Union Local 1021, which represent which represents 1,430 mechanics, custodians and clerical workers, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents 945 station agents, train operators and clerical workers – have said they will walk off the job if a deal has not been reached by midnight.

“We’re trying to keep the trains running,” said Union negotiator Chris Finn. “The unions are trying to do everything we can. We feel they could have met us earlier, but that wasn’t the case. We are putting in some creative effort to see what will work for them. “

BART’s chief negotiator Thomas Hock said he feels the transit agency has gone beyond half way in trying to reach a deal.
“From our standpoint, we are more than half way,” he said. “We been more than half way for a while. “


http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/strike-deadline-looming-bart-unions-return-talks/nbMzs/

[FreakinDJ]

1. Bart Management offered the workers a CUT in Pay - "More then Halfway" my ass

Management offered a 5% pay increase while eliminating Healthcare and Pensions

[gopiscrap]

2. Stay strong labor, fuck management!

[RandySF]

3. Ok, but be prepared to accept collateral damage.

There are thousands of service workers in the Bay Area who do not have cars and cannot "telecommute" If they cannot show up to work, they don't get paid.

[gopiscrap]

4. sometimes you have to sacrifice for the greater common good.

[DireStrike]

5. These people need a union

so that we can reciprocate solidarity when their contract negotiations come up.

[RandySF]

6. Of course they do, but they don't

And they are going to get hurt badly if it lasts too long.