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BART unions give notice of strike
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BART-unions-give-notice-of-strike-4630423.phpConsider yourselves warned: BART unions officially gave notice late Thursday night that they could shut down the transit system when their contracts expire at 11:59 p.m. Sunday....
The unions representing train operators, station agents, mechanics, maintenance workers and professional staff want BART to give them a raise and to protect their health care and pension benefits.
While ridership on BART has reached 400,000, generating an operating surplus, the agency has said it needs to trim costs to pay for $16 billion in major system upgrades over the next 10-15 years.
Regional transportation officials are warning the public that a strike would lead to thousands more cars crowding the freeways and bridges, particularly during peak hours. Commuters should delay trips or work from home, if possible, they advise. Other transit operators, including AC Transit and San Francisco Bay Ferry, have agreed to boost service with extra buses and boats, and BART is considering running charter buses from some of its stations.
The unions representing train operators, station agents, mechanics, maintenance workers and professional staff want BART to give them a raise and to protect their health care and pension benefits.
While ridership on BART has reached 400,000, generating an operating surplus, the agency has said it needs to trim costs to pay for $16 billion in major system upgrades over the next 10-15 years.
Regional transportation officials are warning the public that a strike would lead to thousands more cars crowding the freeways and bridges, particularly during peak hours. Commuters should delay trips or work from home, if possible, they advise. Other transit operators, including AC Transit and San Francisco Bay Ferry, have agreed to boost service with extra buses and boats, and BART is considering running charter buses from some of its stations.
An operating surplus? Bad BART!
But isn't there some other way besides plunging the entire region into chaos? I'm supposed to be up there twice next week. The first time, I'm going with someone in his van -- but the van would have to go on 880, or as it will be known by then, the San Jose-Oakland Park 'n' Ride.
The second time is someone's farewell party. She's moving to NYC for grad school. I may never see her again.
Oh well, at least those hard-working drivers will get their health care and pension benefits. 
5 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
Simpler for me than any other public transit connection. Inexpensive as well. 
I'd be just as stranded in SF as I would be here. There are AC Transit buses, but a) they'd make the Tokyo subway look roomy, and b) their unions were talking strike, too. :scared
That leaves only Amtrak, which costs over ten bucks each way, leaves from here every two hours whether you need one or not, would also be slammed, and dumps you all the way across town, which puts AC Transit back in play. 
http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2013/news20130704a.aspx
Now let's get down to some serious negotiating, not the weak sauce that BART and its hired gun have been dishing out.
Now let's get down to some serious negotiating, not the weak sauce that BART and its hired gun have been dishing out.