BART Union Approves New Four-Year Contract

One of BART's two biggest unions announced Friday that it has approved a tentative four-year contract agreement with management, BART's general manager said.

Service Employees International Union Local 1021 members voted to approve a tentative agreement reached after a four-day strike last month, according to a statement Friday night by BART general manager Grace Crunican.

"We are pleased BART's SEIU workers have approved the labor agreement," Crunican said. "Both our employees and the public will benefit from the comprehensive package approved tonight by SEIU."

Protracted negotiations between BART, the SEIU and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 led to two separate BART shutdowns in July and October this year before the agreement could be reached.

Members from SEIU Local 1021, which represents 1,430 mechanics, custodians and clerical workers, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents 945 station agents, train operators and foreworkers, voted throughout the day on the negotiated agreement.

ATU Local 1555 was expected to announce the results of its vote later Frday night or at a news conference this morning.

If both unions ratify the agreement, BART board of directors would then vote on the new contract at a meeting later this month, BART spokesman Jim Allison said.

He said the board's next scheduled meeting is Nov. 21 but they will likely schedule a special meeting sooner.

A majority of the board is required to approve the contract, he said.

The unions' strikes stemmed from an ongoing labor dispute that required federal mediators to step in to negotiate terms about wages, benefits and safety and work conditions.

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