Watch CBS News

BART Union Criticizes Leadership At Agency

OAKLAND (KCBS) – A powerful union is questioning Bay Area Rapid Transit leadership following several recent high profile incidents.

Just in the last month or so, there has been a fatal officer-involved shooting, a computer crash, demonstrations and protests, cell phone blackouts and computer hacking problems.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

Antonette Bryant, the president and business agent for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents station agents and train operators, said part of the problem is that there is not a permanent general manager in place.

"With the cellphone incident and the civil disobedience, they (BART) know about that in advance," she said. "There should be some plan of action in place. We know they may have to deviate, but there should be some standard practice in place that our members are aware of so that they know what's going on and what they can do."

The union is calling for state investigators to get to the bottom of the problems.

But BART spokespeople and some board members said there is no problem with leadership and all these incidents are being handled quickly and decisively.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.