New BART board president will seek transit worker strike ban

[alp227]

Source: Contra Costa Times

OAKLAND -- Seconds after elected BART Director Joel Keller's colleagues unanimously voted him board president, the incoming leader launched a direct assault on one of labor's most prized powers: the strike.

Keller announced Thursday he will ask the board early next year to place an advisory measure on the November 2014 ballot supporting a ban on transit worker strikes. In place of strike authority, the agency and its employees would be subject to mandatory binding arbitration.

BART's two largest worker unions walked off the job four days in July and again in October after contract talks broke down, leaving tens of thousands of commuters jammed onto already-crowded freeways and buses.

Quoting in part from San Francisco's transit worker strike prohibition, Keller said BART shutdowns "constitute a serious threat to the lives, property and welfare of all the people who live in the Bay Area."

Read more: http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_24761656/new-bart-board-president-will-seek-transit-worker

[Demo_Chris]

1. Who is he elected by? nt

[brooklynite]

2. You didn't actually do any research, did you...

All BART Board members, who pick the President, are democratically elected.

But it's much more fun to rely on "evil management" cliches, isn't it?

[Demo_Chris]

3. I don't know what the 'evil management' cliche is here...

The OP mentioned that he was elected, I was wondering if he had been elected as part of a city wide election or something else. And no, I did no research other than asking a question, and I have to admit that I am baffled at your angry response.

[LeftyMom]

4. Oh that's DU's resident 1%er. She hates uppity workers.

[Demo_Chris]

5. Okay. nt

[Demobrat]

6. As someone who had to use precious vacation time

because I couldn't get to work during the last two strikes, this is the best news I've heard all year.

[WCLinolVir]

9. As someone born and raised in the BA,

I support the workers. It's not as if you don't see it coming. I have been affected by strikes and know that there are options. So maybe you should plan ahead.

[Demobrat]

11. Sure and maybe all the hourly workers who

Staff the SF coffee shops and hotels but live in the East Bay because they cant afford the rents here should be honored to,lose a few days pay in support of people who make eight times what they do, and get benefits they can only dream of. Sounds good to me.

[WCLinolVir]

13. BS. You can take a bus. I know it is not convenient, but trying to disparage union workers

because they make more than you is sad. I used to live in oakland and commuted to SF.

[Demobrat]

15. Actually its not a problem for me at all.

I'm a salaried manager who makes six figures and can always use vacation time. I was actually thinking of others who are not so lucky. Maybe you should try it some time.

[Gormy Cuss]

14. BART workers are not the problem.

A paucity of affordable housing in the city is the problem as is a lack of jobs in the East Bay where workers live. Also problems: BART management.

[Ash_F]

12. Oh... DemoBRAT

Now I get it!

[pothos]

7. horribly undemocratic

but there will be plenty of cheerleaders here for this news.

[cosmicone]

8. Running against BART unions

is a sure fire win for anyone in the bay area.

[ripcord]

10. The BART unions are incredibly unpopular right now

Expect the attacks on them to increase, I support the unions but when they strike it hits their supporters the hardest.