No progress was made Monday in BART's labor dispute, with neither the transit agency's two largest unions nor management making a move to end a conflict that led to a strike that looks certain to continue for at least the next few days.
Negotiations over BART's labor contract, which expired Sunday, broke down over the weekend. The agency's two largest unions, Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, went on strike Monday. Together, the two unions represent about 2,300 train operators, station agents, mechanics, clerks and custodians.
Management has “not heard anything [from the unions], but we certainly hope that something will be scheduled soon,” said BART spokesman Rick Rice, who added that management is “hoping” to schedule meetings today.
A dispute over pay increases and pensions shut down BART service for the first time since 1997.
On Monday, state and local lawmakers called on both sides to resume negotiations.
The BART strike cost the Bay Area about $73 million in “lost worker productivity,” according to an estimate from the Bay Area Council.
BARTBART strikeBay Area NewsService Employees International Union Local 1021Transittransportation
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