Catherwood LibraryILR School

The final, and most contentious, of three contracts has been ratified at the Bay Area Transit company. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 President Jesse Hunt announced Tuesday that the contract was approved with at least 80% of votes in favor. The ATU rejected the first contract proposal several weeks ago and threatened to strike after BART management threatened to impose conditions. The new agreement was reached only hours before the imposition/strike deadline. The contract preserves wages and minimizes layoffs, but will cost employees more for health care, and in job autonomy, as the contract also gives management greater control over assignments. Hunt blames the BART budget deficit in large part on the Republican government, and says that BART exploited the situation. The board must still ratify the contract but early approval is expected.