California IN BRIEF : OAKLAND : BART Negotiations Deadlocked

Talks between representatives of BART and its two major unions remained at an impasse as transit workers assembled picket signs and prepared a strike headquarters. The 1,900 workers, represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 and United Public Employees Union Local 790, are poised to walk out if the two sides fail to reach an agreement by the Tuesday midnight strike deadline. BART negotiators waited a second day at an Oakland hotel for union officials to resume bargaining but labor officials stayed away. The two sides have not met since Friday, when union bargainers walked out in a dispute over shifts for train operators, wages and health care issues.