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Rail News: Passenger Rail
6/25/2009
Rail News: Passenger Rail
Two BART unions seek wage increases
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Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) agreements with all five of its labor unions expire on June 30. But instead of moving forward, contract negotiations appear to be taking a step back.
Yesterday, the agency announced that two of the unions have "abandoned" an offer to freeze employee wages and now are seeking a 3 percent raise during the next two years. Presented by the Amalgamated Transit Union and Services Employee International Union, the wage proposal calls for a half-percent increase on Jan. 1, 2010; another half-percent increase on July 1, 2010; and a 2 percent salary hike effective Jan. 1, 2011. The increases for those two unions alone would cost at least $17.5 million over four years, according to BART.
The unions could launch a strike on July 1 if agreements are not reached by the June 30 deadline.
The agency recently announced its worst sales tax revenue drop in its 37-year history — 20 percent in FY2009's fourth quarter vs. the same FY2008 period — and that ridership declined 10 percent during June's first half. Meanwhile, BART is working to eliminate a $250 million, four-year budget deficit.
For FY2010, BART plans to raise fares and parking fees. The agency also has proposed that both union and non-union employees cover more of the cost of their benefits and pensions.
Yesterday, the agency announced that two of the unions have "abandoned" an offer to freeze employee wages and now are seeking a 3 percent raise during the next two years. Presented by the Amalgamated Transit Union and Services Employee International Union, the wage proposal calls for a half-percent increase on Jan. 1, 2010; another half-percent increase on July 1, 2010; and a 2 percent salary hike effective Jan. 1, 2011. The increases for those two unions alone would cost at least $17.5 million over four years, according to BART.
The unions could launch a strike on July 1 if agreements are not reached by the June 30 deadline.
The agency recently announced its worst sales tax revenue drop in its 37-year history — 20 percent in FY2009's fourth quarter vs. the same FY2008 period — and that ridership declined 10 percent during June's first half. Meanwhile, BART is working to eliminate a $250 million, four-year budget deficit.
For FY2010, BART plans to raise fares and parking fees. The agency also has proposed that both union and non-union employees cover more of the cost of their benefits and pensions.
