We're chagrined for downplaying this BART strike business earlier this week, but there's just been so many strike threats at this point (going back to mid-June) it's hard not to feel like the union's bluffing just a little bit. The update, as it stands, is that BART is ready to go back to the bargaining table with the Amalgamated Transit Union any time between now and Sunday; Mayor Newsom and Mayor Dellums have both issued statements encouraging negotiations to continue and expressing concern for Bay Area businesses; every local news station is going batshit interviewing commuters and predicting traffic Armageddon. more ›

We don't know if this is just a lot of grandstanding by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 -- the sole holdout union who rejected BART's latest contract offer -- but in what suffices for drama in these things, negotiations "broke down" again yesterday, as SF Appeal is reporting. We know, you're already yawning, but bear with us: BART is holding firm about eliminating wasteful work rules and losing a total of five station agent positions through attrition--not layoffs--and they've put some floating holidays back on the table. The union is saying fuck off. Perhaps we would be more invested in this story if we were a transbay commuter, but all we can say right now is... suckaz! No really, there probably won't be a strike... or there probably will be. Flip a coin. more ›

So, um, this strike thing still looms. Or does it? Wake us when it's over. more ›

Believe us when we say we are just as sick as you are of this story/non-story that won't goddamn go away, but ONCE AGAIN, this weekend, there looms the threat of a BART strike, or maybe there doesn't. It would appear, since the threat has come and gone about nine times now, that all concerned are committed to negotiating this thing through and that ONCE AGAIN this will be an empty threat. But BART employees remain pissed off about a new contract that would curtail their overtime -- something that cost BART about $30 million last year -- and now that their contract has expired, workers have nothing stopping them from a walkout. So watch out everyone (especially those with homes or obligations in the East Bay)! It could be for real this time. Or not. more ›

So, you may recall the kerfuffle about BART workers wanting to strike because their wage increase might get written out of the current contract because of, you know, the CRUMBLING ECONOMY and the massive budget shortfall the transit agency is facing. Anyhow, they missed the June 30th deadline but the unions agreed not to strike after state mediators got involved. Talks have been ongoing, and tonight at midnight is the second deadline. If everything falls apart, the unions are required to give 72 hours notice before striking, so once again, Monday might be a bus-and-ferry kind of day. more ›

Apparently we're eight days away from the end of BART workers' current contract, and therefore eight days away from a possible BART strike due to the aggressive negotiations necessary in the face of BART's (and everyone else's) fiscal crisis. In this charming, arguably anti-labor report from KRON4, we learn that it takes 2 people to replace a cushion on a BART train, and some BART employees make more in overtime than they do in regular salary. "So this is in the midst of rising fares, rising parking fees, they're $250 million in the hole -- how can this be happening?!" asks the appalled anchorwoman. more ›