A BART strike threatens to shut down the bay area of San Francisco.
As previously reported by The Inquisitr, a fast food workers strike demanded a pay raise of $15 per hour . Some people believe McDonald’s employees could reasonably be paid that much.
The BART strike by Bay Area Rapid Transit workers is for similar reasons. The BART strike workers unions are complaining that negotiations with the city are “far apart on wages. We’re far apart on pensions. We’re far apart on medical.”
BART employers make a median salary of $80,000 per year. Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 are demanding a 20 percent pay raise over three years or they’ll threaten a BART strike. BART officials are instead offering an eight percent raise over four years as well as asking BART workers to contribute to their pensions and pay more than $92 monthly for their healthcare insurance.
The potential BART strike would affect at least 400,000 passengers each day, essentially shutting down much of the area. John Goodwin, spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, seems to expect the BART strike :
“BART really is the backbone of the transit network. No other transit agency has the ability to absorb BART’s capacity if there’s a disruption. We’re still hoping for the best, but it’s time to prepare for the worst.”
People who live in the San Francisco fear the effect the potential BART strike may have on their lives. The last time a BART strike happened the cost was $73 million per day. Residents are expecting the BART strike to force them to wake two hours earlier for the workday and parking fees may exceed $50 per day. Some people will avoid the BART strike by telecommuting but some jobs like security guards, nurses, and restaurant workers will be forced to pay the price.
What do you think about the union negotiations behind the BART strike?