Workers OK Pact; BART Strike Averted
Union members who had threatened to strike earlier this week against Bay Area Rapid Transit on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a contract negotiated with management just hours before the walkout deadline.
With 769 of the 1,200 members of United Public Employees Local 790 voting at the Oakland Convention Center, the three-year contract was approved 609 to 160.
The pact provides for salary increases of 9.3% over the duration of the contract, grants some health benefits to retired workers for the first time, and restricts union steward activity and hours during regular work schedules.
Local 790, which represents janitors, clerks and mechanics, had threatened to strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday. The union reached agreement on the contract late Sunday.
The board of directors for BART will consider approving the contract at a meeting today.
Local 790 members currently earn between $9 and $16 an hour.
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