muni_driver.jpgLots of Muni news today, as drivers go to the ballot box to agree or disagree with changes to their contracts, new service is contemplated for one of the City’s less-accessible areas, and the competition to decorate Muni’s newest stations just got a little tighter.

Muni operators will be voting today on a labor concession deal that could save the city $19 million. SFGate reports that the pact allows for more flexibility in using part-time operators during commute hours and stipulates that overtime pay can only be attained when operators have worked at least 40 hours in the week.

Upon the contract’s expiration, collective bargaining would be used to negotiate proper salary. If Muni’s Union, Transport Workers Union Local 250-A, approve of the proposed pact, then the next step is for the (short-staffed) Municipal Transportation Agency Board to follow suit next month.

But that’s not all keeping Muni busy. The SF Examiner is reporting that, as Treasure Island is being considered for vast redevelopment, Muni is evaluating their services for the island and potentially increasing the frequency of service in Muni’s already existent 108-Treasure Island line and adding a ferry to shuttle passengers between the city and island.

Another option would be to add three ferries, routing them from a proposed transit terminal to the Ferry Building. More buses would also be added to deliver passengers to either Mission Bay or Civic Center. AC Transit has also expressed interest in providing services between the island and the East Bay.

Finally, in beautification news, the San Francisco Arts Commission has narrowed their choices from 450 to 19 in their search of three artists to beautify three new Muni stations. The stations, located near Union Square, in Chinatown, and the Moscone Center, are part of The City’s Central Subway project, a controversial $1.6 billion expansion of existing light-rail services to serve SoMa & Chinatown. The artists will be preparing and displaying their compositions at community meetings in weeks to come. Stay tuned!

the author

Always in motion. April Siese writes about music, takes photos at shows, and even helps put them on behind the scenes as a stagehand. She's written everything from hard news to beauty features, as well as fiction and poetry. She most definitely likes pie.

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