Home Contra Costa County BART Board May Not Sign Labor Agreement That Ended Strike

BART Board May Not Sign Labor Agreement That Ended Strike

by ECT

The BART and union agreement that ended the strike is now in danger after a new claim that a provision in the deal had been inadvertently included in the final labor package. The BART Board may now vote down the deal.

So what is the hold up? Family Medical Leave which the unions state the clause could not be withdrawn.

The new contract states that BART will give full pay for the first six weeks. The old language said employees need to use sick leave and vacation time first.

According to a source, BART management is advising its board to turn down the contract that BART workers voted for.

Here is an email from Rodderick Lee, Government and Community Relations Manager, which was sent this evening at 5:53 pm

BART management believes that a provision that it did not agree to was inadvertently included in the final labor package, which is scheduled to be considered by the BART Board next week. BART is currently costing out the impact of the provision. The BART Board will have to factor this item into its ratification decision next week. For clarification, the purpose of tomorrow’s closed Board meeting is to review all the tentative agreements that are a part of the labor contract.

The Board is scheduled to vote on the contract on Thursday, November 21, 2013.

Rodd Lee
Government and Community Relations Manager

ATU 1555 President Antonette Bryant issued a statement on behalf of the union:

“We negotiated in good faith for six months. BART management is now attempting to go back on agreements it made in July and August and that were part of the final deal. This is unconscionable. We expect the BART Board will now do its part and approve this contract. And we look forward to collaborating with the entire community to grow our regional economy in a way that supports families and our shared future.”

Stay tuned BART riders, this one looks messy.

You may also like

5 comments

Sara G Nov 14, 2013 - 8:12 pm

Pretty simple to me, fire all the lawyers and union heads and start over. These guys are a joke. No deal which grants employees a 16% raise should be accepted. Fire all directors and elect ones who actually care about the riders, not fattening their wallets.

JimSimmons42 Nov 14, 2013 - 8:14 pm

Fire the entire Board and BART management. I am with the workers on this one, BART should pay the first six weeks. Most companies operate that way.

EastCountyToday Nov 14, 2013 - 8:46 pm

You cannot fire the Board… the public would have to elect someone else in the next election.

James Nov 14, 2013 - 9:24 pm

Most companies don’t pay the first six weeks. You pay into CA SDI and then file a claim which only pays like 60%. 100% pay is a little rediculous.

Jeff Hensel Nov 14, 2013 - 10:14 pm

It looks like the Board has a problem-NOT the Union or workers. Sign and move on. However, someone IS ACCOUNTABLE. Whoever is…it’s time they moved on or are told to move on.

It appears we may need to vote in some new directors. Heck, it might be time to high new workers too. The Union is only need where Management is trying to take advantage of people and this is BAD.

Maybe we should start over here. New management…new workers.

Comments are closed.