BART’s second-largest union announced tonight that its members have voted against a proposed contract agreement reached by the transit agency and three unions at the end of July.
Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents about 900 train operators, station agents and power workers, finished voting tonight and rejected the contract with 406 “no” votes and 224 “yes” votes, according to the union.
ATU President Jesse Hunt said union members thought it was unreasonable to lock themselves into a four-year contract that included wage freezes. He also said there was inequity in the concessions being asked of the ATU.
Hunt said he hopes the union can resume bargaining with BART management.
BART spokesman Linton Johnson said BART management will schedule a special meeting and will consider whether to impose terms and conditions on union workers.
Earlier today, members of BART’s largest union voted in favor of the contract. The BART chapter of Service Employees International Union Local 1021, which represents about 1,500 mechanics, custodians, safety inspectors, clerical employees and track workers, voted 731 in favor and 253 against approving a contract reached between the transit agency and three unions on July 31.
SEIU Local 1021 President Lisa Isler said, “We are pleased with the vote. We’re just happy not to have this hanging over our heads any longer.”
Union spokesman Carlos Rivera said the contract provides for no layoffs or furloughs, no wage cuts and no raises for the next four years.
BART officials have said the contract is needed to help the agency cope with a projected $310 million deficit in the next four years by reducing labor costs by $100 million.
The previous contract expired July 9 and employees have been working without a contract since then. Members of the three unions voted in June to authorize a strike, but never set a strike date.
The SEIU voting began Thursday and was extended until this afternoon.
Members of the American Federation of Local, State and Municipal Employees Union Local 3993, which represents about 200 middle managers, are due to vote on Tuesday.
The tentative agreement was reached on July 31 in a marathon 27-hour session that culminated a lengthy bargaining process that began on April 1.
