Mediator sought for BART talks

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 24, 2009 | by Denis Cuff

A mediator apparently will be called in to BART's contract negotiations just days before the June 30 expiration of the old labor agreements.

Three BART employee unions called Wednesday afternoon for a state mediator to join the talks. Not long afterward, BART spokesman Linton Johnson said management would welcome the neutral outside party.

Union leaders were upset that BART managers went public to denounce a new union proposal for a three percent pay increase over two years. Previously, one union had proposed a one-year freeze on pay with no change in worker contributions toward benefits.

"It's clear to us that BART executives have decided to negotiate this contract in the media rather than at the negotiating table," said Jesse Hunt, president of Local 1555 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Earlier in the day, BART Board President Tom Blalock said two employee unions had proposed a three percent pay increase that would aggravate rather than reduce BART's budget deficit.