BART Management, Unions Finally Meeting Days Before Contract Expiration
OAKLAND (KCBS) - Representatives from Bay Area Rapid Transit and its two largest unions were scheduled to meet at the same time Friday morning -- the first time that has happened in several days.
Both sides still appear far apart on some issues, including pay, benefits, pension contributions and safety concerns.
The impasse led BART workers to walk off the job on July 1st in a strike that lasted four days and caused traffic nightmares for many.
Both sides agreed to extend the contract another 30 days in order to continue negotiations, while keeping rail service running for the 400,000 or so daily passengers.
That contract is now set to expire again on August 4th. A BART spokesman said starting on July 30th, all parities will be meeting every day in hopes of ironing out a new contract that will avoid another work stoppage.
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