Politics & Government

BART Labor Hearing: Two Sides Remain Far Apart

Panel appointed by the governor hears that BART management and union negotiators are $99 million apart on their proposals

The wide gulf between BART management and its union employees became evident in public Wednesday during a hearing on the stalled labor negotiations.

A three-member panel appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown heard hours of testimony on the contract proposals as well as whether an additional 60-day cooling off period should be ordered, according to a story in the Contra Costa Times.

BART management told the panel their plan for a 9 percent raise over four years plus employee contributions to their pension plans would cost the transit agency $18 million.

BART said the union proposal for a 21 percent pay hike over three years would cost $117 million, a $99 million difference.

Negotiators from the Service Employees International Union and the Amalgamated Transit Union countered the pay raises they're asking for are actually 15 percent and would cost the agency $56 million, the Times reported.

BART management told the panel a 60-day cooling off period is needed to bridge this wide gap. Union leaders said the current cooling off period should be allow to expire on Sunday night because the closer deadline would force BART management to negotiate more earnestly, the Times reported.

The panel will make a recommendation to the governor on the cooling off period. Brown will then need to go to court if he wants to extend that period.

Union and BART officials said the two sides will return to the bargaining table on Thursday and Friday. They last met on Sunday before the governor ordered a seven-day cooling off period.


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