BART Unions Voting On Contract That Ended Strike

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Bay Area Rapid Transit's two largest unions are voting on a tentative contract agreement after a bitter labor dispute that prompted two strikes.

More than 2,300 members of Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 are scheduled to vote Friday on a new four-year contract that includes a 15 percent raise and improved safety conditions.

The agreement also requires BART workers to pay into their pensions for the first time and increases their monthly health care contributions from about $92 to $129.

Union officials say they may announce results from the ratification votes on Friday night.

The unions went on strike for nearly five days in July and for another four days in October before agreeing to a tentative deal with BART management on Oct. 22.

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