Don’t Blame Striking Workers, Blame MTC Skip to content >2022 EAST BAY CANDIDATE LIST >ALAMEDA COUNTY CITY PAGES Oakland Alameda San Leandro Hayward Castro Valley Fremont COVID-19 Search Search for: Search ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL AC Transit, Alameda Point, BART, budget, Eric Swalwell, labor, labor negotiations, Larry Reid, MTC, New York Times, Oakland, Oakland City Council, SEIU, strike Don’t Blame Striking Workers, Blame MTC Date: June 30, 2013Author: Steven Tavares 198 Comments SUNDAY COLUMN | How about blaming the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) on Monday morning when your car is sitting in traffic, instead of workers? Oh, you don’t know what or who MTC is? That’s exactly how they like it. Starting on Monday, the East Bay could be in the middle of one major traffic jam, but it is also a significant show of the area’s strength in the labor movement. Not only might BART workers hit the picket lines, but so too might AC Transit workers and Oakland city employees. If the progressive New York Times loved Oakland before, imagine their admiration when public workers shut down the region? The hacks in the corporate media, of course, hardly disguise their disdain for workers. In the past week, the drumbeat has aimed at cajoling you into blaming public employees. It’s not about the issues of health care and pensions they report (you, of course, probably face the same problems at you private sector job, but never mind). Instead, it’s those striking workers who are going to gravely affect your life. The trick is dastardly and contains some of the same corporate media tricks used during the Occupy Oakland protests (I that case the line was these people protesting “need to get a job.) However, here’s an alternate reading of the situation. If any group is to blame it’s MTC, the shadowy, half unelected and elected commission that oversees transportation in the Bay Area. They’re the same bunch of bureaucrats who fucked up the new Bay Bridge. Not only does MTC have problems with overseeing the region’s biggest public works projects, but it also has problems with planning. Why isn’t anybody questioning the supreme stupidity of allowing not one, but two labor contracts with BART and AC Transit workers to expire on the very same day. Add in Oakland public employees and talk about strength in numbers when it comes to negotiations between management and any one of the labor groups. Oh, you don’t think management at BART and AC Transit have anything to do with MTC, at least, not officially, well keep thinking that way, because that’s their aim. How can you blame a group with no recognizable face? Conversely, the “bad guys” created by the corporate media at the behest of the One Percent look just like you and me and work just as hard. Now, just pay them so I can pay my $8.50 to get from the BART Fruitvale station to San Bruno. Quotable “You know what? I don’t know, maybe I should freaking run for mayor of this city and the more I think about it, the more and more I’m just waiting for a signal from God.” –Larry Reid, Oakland council member June 27 during the approval of rival’s budget plan. The Week That Was >>>Alameda Point’s forward: The Navy handed over 1,300 acres of prime waterfront real estate at Alameda Point this week, but trouble could lie beneath. The deal is a great opportunity for Alameda and also could be a beacon for shady deals and developers. The land below is also a toxic wasteland. Who knows what we’ll find in the ground or what creatures slithering above it. >>>Budgets approved in Oakland, Alameda County: Oakland approved a new two-year, $2 billion budget this week with some contention between slightly differing proposals. Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan and newbies Dan Kalb and Lynette Gibson McElhaney came out on top and may signal a new direction for the moribund council. The county also passed its own $2.7 billion budget. With an improving economy, the county was able to shrink an $80 million shortfall–the lowest in five years–without excruciating cuts. Workers even got a cost-of-living increase for the first time in five years. >>>I do: Civil rights history was made with the U.S. Supreme Court striking down key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act and leaving Proposition 8 to die on the vine. The seeds of the victory for society and LGBT community, as we all know, started in the Bay Area. At least, one East Bay official decided to tie the knot this weekend. Meanwhile, Hayward’s first openly gay elected official, former Councilman Kevin Dowling, said on Facebook that he’s still looking for “Mr. Right.” >>>Nothing odd here, look away: Questions still linger as to why Eric Swalwell Sr. was sitting on the Alameda County civil grand jury for the last 10 months while his son was playing Camp Congress? In the meantime, a weak grand jury report hit none of Swalwell, Jr’s supporters, even though Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty was sitting there like a dead duck following a long list of accusations by former chief of staff. Tweet of the Week “After deciding to adjourn in memory of Nelson Mandela, Oakland council discovers that he’s not dead. #oakmtg” -@matthai, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Oakland City Hall beat reporter tweeting June 27. Matthai Kuruvila announced the same night that he’s leaving the paper for a new job at the city of Berkeley. He will be missed. Best Reads >>>Although some are equating the release of “Fruitvale Station,” the Oscar Grant film, to the ongoing Trayvon Martin shooting, the story is far more complicated. (Los Angeles Times, June 28.) Voice of the People “No one cares about the kids of Hayward. :(“ –Anonymous, commenting June 29 on “How Hayward’s New Superintendent Wanted The Job, Quit The Job, Got The Job.” Share this: Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Like this: Like Loading... Related Post navigation Previous Previous post: How Hayward’s New Superintendent Wanted The Job, Quit The Job, Got The Job Next Next post: Corporate Media’s Plot To Demonize Striking BART Workers 198 thoughts on “Don’t Blame Striking Workers, Blame MTC” Add Comment Anonymous says: August 6, 2013 at 12:03 AM Exemption is coming, and yes unlike you, I do ride bart. It will be fantastic to never have to got through this again–just like MUNI, NY subway, Chicago subway, LA light rail, etc. Boy, those folks must be doing something right, and now it is finally BART's turn. All aboard the EXEMPTION express! LikeLike Anonymous says: August 5, 2013 at 7:50 PM You're a whore for the anti union trolls. See anyone can call people names. Add something intelligent to the conversation. We'll find out in a week if this is settled or not. I'm betting it will be, but probably not to either of our satisfactions. The difference is I have to ride BART and you don't. I'm signing off for a week or until this is settled one way or another. It was fun while it lasted, but at least I took BART to work today—-the public won for a while! I'll sign back on when the settlement is in place–take care. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 5, 2013 at 6:28 PM Jerry whores for the union trolls. Exemption is the only answer for the next time, and there will be a next time–next week even. John Q. Public Official representative of the non-union trolls public. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 5, 2013 at 6:15 AM I was hoping for a 60, but I'll take a 7–Thank you Jerry Brown–the public OAKLAND (CBS/AP) — Governor Jerry Brown has averted a strike of San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit system, promising riders a normal commute Monday morning. Late Sunday night Brown issued an order for a seven-day inquiry into the contract dispute that threatened to shut down one of the region’s major train lines. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 5, 2013 at 5:05 AM I guarantee there is no chance of exemption tonight or in the near future, but there is a chance of settlement by compromise. I heard Hock and the ATU union leader both say they were working towards that on TV today and tonight. Hope they get there, because unlike you, I actually need BART to get around and go to work. The real Public Citizen. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 4, 2013 at 9:51 PM After Exemption occurs, AKA COMPROMISE, you'll be able to take BART to work. We guarantee it. By the way, please stop using my husband's name to sign your statements. There is only one John Q. Public who speaks for the public, and I'm married to him. Jane Q. Public LikeLike Anonymous says: August 4, 2013 at 8:52 PM Agree with the above statement at 12:10. Both sides are at fault and I don't care who's most at fault. Just get the damn thing settled and over with. Stubbornness and both sides trying to bully the other got us into this mess. I just want to take BART to work on Monday! John Q Public LikeLike Anonymous says: August 4, 2013 at 7:10 PM Just admit most of the public wants some sort of compromise to avoid a strike, no matter who they place most of the blame on, instead of being so stubborn. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 4, 2013 at 7:00 PM You are pathetic. Even when the numbers are staring you front and center you don't even realize it's over. I'll do my part by updating the latest numbers so as to continue to rub it in. Er, make the point, rather. Jane Q. Public LikeLike Anonymous says: August 4, 2013 at 7:37 AM And every poll taken that asks if both sides should give a little, or compromise, to get to a settlement and avoid a strike, gets an overwhelming majority vote. It all depends how you ask the question which of course you know, but won't admit. Still laughing at your feeble attempt to try and bully other posters. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 4, 2013 at 4:42 AM SF Chronicle–8-3-13 I'll continue to post the new numbers as they continue to go through the roof in favor of EXEMPTION. Oh yeah!! Jane Q. Public Should BART unions be allowed to strike? Yes, transit workers should have the same rights as other union workers 239 ( 18.5% ) No, strikes by Muni and city firefighter unions are banned — BART should be too 719 ( 55.8% ) Yes, it’s the best leverage labor has in negotiations 101 ( 7.8% ) No, denying transit services is akin to taking hostages 230 ( 17.8% ) LikeLike Anonymous says: August 4, 2013 at 4:33 AM Nice post, Josie HoMooney. Your brand of compromise will put bocu public $$$ in your larded bank account. No, Josie. You'll take EXEMPTION and we'll continue to ride BART unimpeded. Bottom line is that you are about to be put in your place and the public will be the winners. In the meantime, I'm sure you're being productive by putting pins into your Tom Hock voodoo doll. Get real, you and your whores have lost the public's support bigtime. Your days are numbered. Once the whore you are, the penultimate whore you continue to be! The public will always be the winner, and at your expense, as it must be! LikeLike Anonymous says: August 4, 2013 at 1:40 AM This past post was brought to you by the management whore and the anti union troll who seems to actually want a strike instead of a settlement. He can care less about the inconvenience to all the rest of us who have to take BART to work. Read the paper troll, and you will see everything said about Tom Hock is true. He has been involved in negotiations since 2005 that resulted in 7 transit strikes. Only the anti union troll would think he's a good man. Talk about a whore! LOL Compromise settlement IS the only solution to avoid a strike. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 3, 2013 at 7:15 PM The past two posts brought to you courtesy of the union whores, who continue to extort the public. It's all moving the public's way, kids. Latest 'Chronicle' poll–TODAY–continues to show mounting opposition to the extortionist unions. By the way, the question being asked of the public that is yielding such high numbers is should BART employees be prohibited from future strikes–read EXEMPTION. The numbers don't lie; overwhelmingly yes. MUNI once shilled your talk and now they are exempt. LA, Chicago, and New York subway are exempt to name just a few mass transit agencies. Sorry, kids. BART has long been the hold out and now the day of reckoning has arrived. Also, as for Bonta and termed-out loser Hockock mentioned above, I would expect nothing less of those union-owned stooges. I've always said, and repeat yet again, that once the 'longest, bloodiest strike since the 1970s' begins in earnest, you will see the Bay Area delegation reverse course so fast it will make your dicks drop off. As for Tom Hock, a good man, a great man. He more than deserved his vacation, which the union whores signed off on along with management before 'negotiations' ever began. Convenient to forget that little detail, eh, Josie HoMooney? The final nail is almost in the coffin, then all of you pretenders won't have to worry at all anymore. With the threat of strikes removed for all time, then they can have negotiations all their money-grubbing hands desire, and I'll sit back in comfort as the trains continue merrily along. Always for the public and against the union whores! John/Jane Q. Public LikeLike Anonymous says: August 3, 2013 at 10:38 AM Thomas Hock, BART's $400,000 lead negotiator who just got back from a 10 day vacation, has a history of causing strikes. Since 2005, Hock has been involved in negotiations that have resulted in 7 transit strikes according to the newspaper. That doesn't sound like good faith bargaining on the part of BART management. I do believe our Governor will call for a 60 day moratorium either just before, or just after, the strike occurs. Thank you Jerry Brown. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 3, 2013 at 6:04 AM FYI–compromise is the only solution–I'm not Union and I don't work for BART, but I do understand reality and don't think you do–calling people names and whining get us nowhere but stalemate. It does amuse me though. In Case You Missed It: East Bay Legislators Say Good-Faith Bargaining Must Underpin BART Negotiations Created on Friday, 02 August 2013 12:39 (OAKLAND, CA) – In an op-ed appearing in the Bay Area News Group, State Assemblymembers Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), and Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) addressed BART negotiations, calling for good-faith bargaining in order to reach a solution before the Sunday night deadline. The East Bay legislators highlighted workplace safety issues, missed revenue opportunities and the bargaining tactics of BART’s lead negotiator Thomas Hock. “Before the two sides lock heads again, it’s time for the Board to ask pointed questions about BART’s negotiating tactics, how it values safety and the potential for new revenue opportunities. Respect for the Bay Area working families who keep the trains running and get riders where they need to go needs to underpin these negotiations. Meanwhile, we in the State Assembly have asked the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to investigate BART’s financial status. It’s time for the numbers to come out, so that we can ensure that taxpayer dollars are being properly spent. With new information and a new perspective both sides have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves, bargain in good faith, and reach an agreement that provides all of us a stable and safe system.” LikeLike Anonymous says: August 3, 2013 at 3:47 AM You're getting irritated, kid. The reason is that you are trying to get others to buy your fantasies about 'compromise.' Won't happen. Remember the old saying about a union whore in sheep's clothing–you're it. Exemption is going to happen, and it will be served up on a silver platter thanks to the out of control laborites. The 'SF Chronicle' has already run a story; KTVU has reported on exemption becoming more the buzz around Sacramento, and finally the latest poll released by KPIX today shows better than 3-1 public support for the position of BART management. You've lost and you are now shitting in your pants. Once the 'longest and bloodiest strike since the 1970s' begins all the dominoes fall. Very nice characterization OF YOURSELF above. Keep screaming 'compromise.' Yours is the only voice chanting code for giving the union whores the barn. Ain't happening in your lifetime! LikeLike Anonymous says: August 3, 2013 at 3:22 AM Keep living in a different world you fantasize, instead of reality, Anonymous above. You are like a child who doesn't understand politics or Sacramento. Compromise is the only realistic solution. You can hold your breath and stomp your feet but you still won't get your way. Grow up! LikeLike Anonymous says: August 2, 2013 at 10:32 PM Now kid, don't get upset now. While stealing my thoughts might be a form of flattery, it only cheapens you. The adults will work it out so that the union whores go exempt, and then you and your little kiddies can take the train without worry. You see, kid, we're all on the same team. The only difference is you don't understand adult realities. We'll take care of it so the big, bad union whores are put in their place–close to the third rail–and then everything will be o.k. for the public at large. Try to take a timeout while the adults get this taken care of. Nap time for you. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 2, 2013 at 4:58 PM That above thought applies to you 8:28. It seems you are a legend in your own mind, but dreaming and wishing doesn't mean it will happen. I just want to be able to take BART to work, so I'm hoping for a compromise settlement, or the Gov. to impose a 60 day moratorium so I can do my job across the Bay in S.F. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 2, 2013 at 3:26 PM The above brought to you courtesy of those who have not a clue and keep their 'intelligence' where the sun don't shine! LikeLike Anonymous says: August 2, 2013 at 7:13 AM You really don't know what you are talking about 4:53. You just make things up in your mind like a child who's dreaming. You're so arrogant but clearly not very informed. Go back to your La La land and dream on. Unions have a long history of fighting for binding arbitration, but management has fought to keep public employees from getting it because they lose control. Come back to the discussion after you take a course or two in labor studies. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 1, 2013 at 11:54 PM Kid, you don't read. Go back and try it again. First, the writer clearly wrote AFTER the strike begins. Second, the writer mentions that after the strike happens [in earnest,] the public will be so outraged that they will be crying out for EXEMPTION–that means breaking down their representatives doors–duh! Third, the unions 'love' binding arbitration so much that that is why they want to strike. Yeah, forget the bridge. I'll sell you ALL of Alameda County–cheap! Clearly you are the one on drugs, and very bad ones at that. You need to leave the discussion, if one can even call it that, to those with intelligence and experience in these matters. You have neither. Please refrain from boring the readership with any further cocky comments. It really is past your bedtime. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 1, 2013 at 10:37 PM Are you on drugs? What Dem leader currently has called for what you call exemption, but is really an arbitrator who doesn't have to live with the settlements he mandates? What current Dem has asked for it? The answer is NO ONE. They control over 2/3 of the legislature in case you have forgotten. You are living in a dream world in your mind and think it's reality. Police and Fire love binding arbitration because it has sky rocketed their pay and benefits! Most Unions would take your binding arbitration suggestion in a heartbeat. Some Unions have fought to get that in their contracts. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 1, 2013 at 7:10 PM The 'compromise' that you speak of is code for giving the unions exactly what they want. While the cop's away, let the unions clean out the store. Sorry. Not buying it. The unions are scared shitless that they will be cut off at the balls, and they should be. Police and fire would LOVE to be able to strike. They've said so repeatedly. You can continue to shill for labor, albeit under the radar, but the public won't go along with. Once “the longest and bloodiest BART strike since the 1970s” begins, you'll see the public crying for EXEMPTION like gangbusters. That's why even ol' Don Perata hisself spoke those very words four years ago. He was laying the groundwork when nobody else was paying attention. Exemption is the only way to go, and it's starting off as a runaway train which will soon be barreling down the tracks. LikeLike John Nikolas says: August 1, 2013 at 6:16 PM At this time are more than a small number of types of building loans to decide from, but one of the most accepted for people house their own home is a building loan that convert to a permanent Dynabuild LikeLike John Nikolas says: August 1, 2013 at 6:15 PM At this time are more than a small number of types of building loans to decide from, but one of the most accepted for people house their own home is a building loan that convert to a permanent Dynabuild LikeLike Anonymous says: August 1, 2013 at 4:45 PM If it's all about the public you don't want binding arbitration. Arbitrators almost always give cost of living increases; that's why police and fire costs have escalated so rapidly, and are costing us taxpayers dearly. I don't want a strike and I see settlement by compromise as the only realistic solution in the near term. Brown does have the power to call for a 60 day moratorium to help make that happen. We'll see what happens in the long term, but don't bet on the heavily Dem legislature to mandate binding arbitration. LikeLike Anonymous says: August 1, 2013 at 4:30 AM The dream is about to become reality, 'friend!' All courtesy of the unions. By the way, both of the above are almost at the end of their capitol careers. If I'm not mistaken, both expire next year–due to term limits. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PUBLIC!!! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 31, 2013 at 11:40 PM Dream on–it won't happen anytime soon with Perez and Steinberg in charge in the Capitol. If you don't want a strike you have to pray Brown will declare a 60 day moratorium. That will give them more time to settle their differences. Remember the Unions, who you dislike, will come out way ahead with binding arbitration, as have public safety employees like police and fire. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 31, 2013 at 10:31 PM When the public is made to endure the 'longest and bloodiest strike since the 1970s,' to quote the unions, exemption will look like a G-dsend. You prefer the status quo, which by the way if you go back every four years for the past 20, you will read that the threat of a strike ALWAYS happens. Some will say that's what happens in collective bargaining. Not true. Steve Hemminger, who oversees the MTC, rightly points out that ALL of the other transit districts in the state are able to 'get their shit together [my words; not his].' BART is the only exception, and it is why someone such as Don Perata [unions' biggest champion] said in the last go-around that he would consider exemption for the future. He might be gone, but there are enough savvy politicians around who, after a real strike happens, will jump on the band wagon so fast that it will make your head spin. This is one time too many that the unions have cried 'wolf!' They are about to get their comeuppance. It's not about labor, and it's not about management. IT'S ABOUT THE PUBLIC!!! As our friend Howard Beal said “We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!” LikeLike Anonymous says: July 31, 2013 at 9:27 PM Have you taken a look at Police and Fire salaries lately? How about their pension benefits? That's what happens when you have binding arbitration instead of collective bargaining. The arbitrators don't have to live with the results, and the public loses most of the time. I don't think you thought this through, or you don't know enough about arbitration and/or arbitrators. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 31, 2013 at 2:40 PM And there wish will soon come true. The public will be the winners when they go exempt! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 31, 2013 at 10:32 AM The Supreme Court of Calif. said public employees had the right to strike except for Police and Fire because of public safety concerns. Police and Fire were given mandated binding arbitration instead, which they love, because it has helped raise their salaries to astronomical highs. I'm sure BART would love to be treated like Police and Fire. Careful what you wish for! But, no one is talking in favor of that in Sacramento. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 31, 2013 at 1:54 AM You don't read. The compromise will be EXEMPTION, and if you weren't one of the laborites, you would understand that. BART will be going the way of police and fire, only way to go. Public realizes that that is what works best and is the only way to go. Nice try. Next time, put a little more work into it. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 30, 2013 at 11:23 PM 11:43 It sounds like you want a strike. My wife and I want compromise, so we can get to work. Neither of us belong to a Union. I'm glad there are cooler heads than yours doing the negotiations. Compromise is the only viable solution. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 29, 2013 at 6:43 PM Mommy, when I grow up I want to be a union whore, just like the turd who makes up his imaginary stories! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 29, 2013 at 6:39 PM But BART says it needs to limit worker costs, which, as in most transit agencies, are the biggest expense in its budget. If overall compensation goes up, BART officials say, they will have to delay payments toward new rail cars and other equipment needed to increase service. Before state mediators earlier this month ordered both sides to keep their latest proposals secret, BART had offered a wage increase of 5 to 8 percent, depending on whether certain economic measures were met, over four years. That would push the average union gross pay to as much as $82,861 by 2017. Unions had countered with a pay increase of 20.1 percent over three years, which would increase their average total pay to $92,991 by 2016. The pay comes on top of the benefits BART workers earn, which are among the best in the Bay Area and have eaten up half the extra revenue the agency has collected in the past few years. Employees contribute nothing toward their pension and $92 a month toward health care. “I don't know if it's an urban myth or just a saying, that the BART contract is held up in union halls around the county as the gold standard,” BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said. “We have to bring our compensation packages more in line with what others have. Years of protecting the employees have caught up with us.” Contact Mike Rosenberg at mrosenberg@mercurynews.com or 408-920-5705. Follow him at Twitter.com/RosenbergMerc. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 29, 2013 at 6:38 PM Since 2007, BART has received nearly 65,000 job applications for about 1,800 line-level union openings. Only 6.8 percent of BART's blue-collar workforce left the job in the past year — half the average national turnover rate for public and private employers — and the typical union employee stays with BART for 13 years. The data show BART pay is above average partly because of favorable rules that allow workers to pile up lots of overtime and cash out unused sick and vacation time, which has helped some employees double their base salary. But BART and experts say it's also the result of previous managers caving to the public demand to avoid strikes by including regular pay bumps for decades, until 2009. “(BART unions) have a degree of leverage from a strike perspective that many other industries don't, and this is a classic example of them capitalizing on it,” said Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles-based economics consulting firm. “If you ask me, it's a tiny bit short of blackmail: 'Give me the money or the commute's going to get it.' “ Union employees say the cost of living in the Bay Area has soared and BART's revenue has surged to record levels. Plus, because of management's push to increase health care and pension premiums, employees stand to see their take-home pay go down without raises. And not all workers are highly paid. Last year, 830 part-time and full-time BART workers — or nearly one-quarter of the rail line's workforce — made less than the $62,680 median income in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metropolitan area. Acma, the BART worker, said he's tired of people thinking they are drones who only push buttons and said the employees work hard, often on off-hours, holidays and weekends, for their money. “It's unfortunate that our jobs do hold the Bay Area hostage,” he said. “We're scrimping by, and sometimes the public treats us like we're above everybody else. We're not the 1-percenters.” LikeLike Anonymous says: July 29, 2013 at 6:38 PM BART's top-paid train operator grossed $155,308, compared with the $109,450 that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority paid its top light-rail driver. BART's best-paid janitor made $82,752 while the upscale Hillsborough City School District paid its top custodian $59,360. And BART's electrician with the highest paycheck made $149,957 — nearly twice the $79,878 that AC Transit's best-paid electrician made. The wages are under heightened scrutiny as BART and its labor unions on Tuesday enter their final week of negotiations, hoping to avert a second shutdown, Aug. 5, after a cooling-off period halted a 4½-day strike earlier this month. Both sides remain far apart on the key issues of worker pay and contributions to pensions and health care. Overall, BART's average employee — executives included — made nearly $30,000 more than employees at Los Angeles' transit line, and nearly $10,000 more than those at San Francisco Muni, the state's second-highest paid transit workers. BART workers argue their wages have BART Union members picket outside Caltrans building where contract negotiation continue on their third day of BART strike in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) remained flat for four years. They say they are worthy of their salaries, pointing to the agency's strong on-time performance, high rider satisfaction and their work maintaining one of the nation's most antiquated rail lines. “You buy a Mercedes, you get quality. You almost get what you pay for,” said Dennis Acma, 47, of Dublin, a power support controller at BART for the past seven years. “They're paying for that expertise. You got people who are dedicated that work here.” Despite the lack of recent wage increases, BART has not had trouble attracting — or retaining — people to fill their union jobs, such as station agent, train operator and maintenance worker, that typically require a high school diploma and a few years of general work experience. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 29, 2013 at 6:37 PM Heard that union whore! BART workers' paychecks already outpace their peers' By Mike Rosenberg and Daniel J. Willis Mercury News Posted: 07/27/2013 04:00:00 PM PDT Updated: 07/29/2013 11:25:55 AM PDT San Francisco Bay Area 2012 Entity Last First Gross: to TCOE: to Advanced Search Created with Caspio While BART and its unions fight over employee pay raises with another strike looming in a week, a new analysis by this newspaper reveals the rail line's workers already have bigger paychecks than any of their peers. BART workers easily earned the most money on average last year among the 25 largest government agencies in the Bay Area, the newspaper's review of public employee payroll data shows. What's more, BART employees also topped the list of the highest-paid transit operators in California. And the results are not close. Even when eliminating high-paid police officers and executives, the average gross pay for the blue-collar BART union workers who are threatening another shutdown was $76,551 last year — more than the average employee made at any large school district from San Jose to Walnut Creek, any county from Santa Cruz to Contra Costa or any transit line from San Diego to Sacramento. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 29, 2013 at 6:30 PM Notice the turd lives in a fantasy world. It never lists anything new. Just continues to paste its made up fake stories over and over and over again. What a loser this union whore turd is. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 29, 2013 at 6:28 PM Thought we had flushed the turd down the toilet once and for all. Looks like it crawled back out. Oh well, it can't win this one and never will. The compromise will be EXEMPTION. Union whores are going down the tubes, big time. Well, friends, the union whore is back. He's the previous two posts, and he keeps sticking to his imaginary person with his imaginary figures. Anything is possible when you spin a fairy tale. What's egregious though, is he has no respect for women, lesbians, or anyone who doesn't share his warped and twisted 'brain.' What's even more spectacular, he can't grasp the KPIX news poll that shows the public overwhelmingly opposed to his pathetic cry that it's big, bad management. Number one rule of union whores–seek to divide and try to conquer. Never mind that management is not the boogeyman, has no contract that is up in this go-around, if at all, and hasn't threatened to create the 'longest, bloodiest strike of BART since the 1970s.' Even when the unbiased, truthful numbers are staring him in the face, this whore for the union still stands his ground–all two inches surrounded by a sea of public opinion that casts the blame solely on his and his pathetic comrades' shoulders. After this strike starts, simple addition will take over. 40% already don't respect or trust the union. That will double to 80%, simple Gallop Poll logic. Add to that the 15% who have tuned out or are already predisposed to blaming the unions for stirring up this pot of shit, and that gets you to just under 100%, who know a crock of shit when they smell it. That is what will get us to BART becoming exempt from strikes in the future. This will be the final cycle when they can attempt to bully the public at large. The final nail will be driven into their coffins by them. We'll need to learn our 'friend's' name before this is over, because it will be due largely to his ineptitude for his unions that the public will be so blessed. At the appropriate time we'll offer this then to be union-reject a rousing chours of “For he's a jolly good [former] union whore!” LikeLike Anonymous says: July 29, 2013 at 1:40 AM Agree with above statement, and we need to crack down on pension spiking. Matier & Ross in a recent article said pension spiking has most prominently been done by management employees at BART by banking holiday, sick and vacation pay. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 28, 2013 at 9:23 PM Compromise is the only solution! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 28, 2013 at 5:30 AM Troll- you use the same lines continually. This includes the Puerta(sic) Rican lesbian wife and I line. But, being an executive, it explains why you ALWAYS attack unions and the workers. You ALWAYS throw in the word whore in all your posts and NEVER blame management who are the biggest perk recipients and exploiters of PENSION SPIKING. You are the one who has the most posts on this string, and both of us know you are a single male who likes to bully people. LOL Troll- try and answer this REAL BART workers post. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I make $50,000 a year. Do you think I'm overpaid? I am going to be out of pocket with my medical coverage around $2000 this year and I am healthy. Do you think I have a platinum health plan? The average BART retiree (except for management) draws a $21,000 pension. Could you live on $21,000 a year? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 7:47 PM Well, friends, the union whore is back. He's the previous two posts, and he keeps sticking to his imaginary person with his imaginary figures. Anything is possible when you spin a fairy tale. What's egregious though, is he has no respect for women, lesbians, or anyone who doesn't share his warped and twisted 'brain.' What's even more spectacular, he can't grasp the KPIX news poll that shows the public overwhelmingly opposed to his pathetic cry that it's big, bad management. Number one rule of union whores–seek to divide and try to conquer. Never mind that management is not the boogeyman, has no contract that is up in this go-around, if at all, and hasn't threatened to create the 'longest, bloodiest strike of BART since the 1970s.' Even when the unbiased, truthful numbers are staring him in the face, this whore for the union still stands his ground–all two inches surrounded by a sea of public opinion that casts the blame solely on his and his pathetic comrades' shoulders. After this strike starts, simple addition will take over. 40% already don't respect or trust the union. That will double to 80%, simple Gallop Poll logic. Add to that the 15% who have tuned out or are already predisposed to blaming the unions for stirring up this pot of shit, and that gets you to just under 100%, who know a crock of shit when they smell it. That is what will get us to BART becoming exempt from strikes in the future. This will be the final cycle when they can attempt to bully the public at large. The final nail will be driven into their coffins by them. We'll need to learn our 'friend's' name before this is over, because it will be due largely to his ineptitude for his unions that the public will be so blessed. At the appropriate time we'll offer this then to be union-reject a rousing chours of “For he's a jolly good [former] union whore!” LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 5:19 PM I do agree with most of the post at 9:48 PM on the 19th. My friends and I rely on Bart to get us places and we hope both sides give a little to come to agreement. I do check out the Citizen once in awhile and agree that the anti worker individual does try to dominate and instigate controversy. It's not often someone stands up to that individual for so long. I also agree that not all workers at Bart make salaries that are out of line with Bay Area living standards, as the electrical engineer points out. Most of us are upset however at the high salaries and pensions of the managers, which do seem out of line with Bay Area living standards. The pension spiking seems to be at the higher end of the management scale. Please no strike. Settle your differences. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 4:50 AM Troll- you use the same lines continually. This includes the Puerta(sic) Rican lesbian wife and I line. But, being an executive, it explains why you ALWAYS attack unions and the workers. You ALWAYS throw in the word whore in all your posts and NEVER blame management who are the biggest perk recipients and exploiters of PENSION SPIKING. You are the one who has the most posts on this string, and both of us know you are a single male who likes to bully people. LOL Troll- try and answer this REAL BART workers post. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I make $50,000 a year. Do you think I'm overpaid? I am going to be out of pocket with my medical coverage around $2000 this year and I am healthy. Do you think I have a platinum health plan? The average BART retiree (except for management) draws a $21,000 pension. Could you live on $21,000 a year? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 3:53 AM SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) — As negotiators for Bay Area Rapid Transit and its unions were back at the bargaining table Wednesday night hoping to end a strike that had snarled the region’s commute for several days and seemed likely to extend into the 4th of July, a newly-released KPIX 5 poll found almost twice as many people thought BART management had made a better case than have the unions. The poll also found 40% thought BART management had made a better case for its position, compared with only 23% thinking so for the unions; 30% said neither side had a better position, while 6% felt the two sides had equal positions. The key issues in the dispute involve salaries, pensions, health care and safety. Commuter Hilary Hartman, 26, said she had a hard time sympathizing with the unions’ demands for more money. “They make almost twice as much as I do,” Hartman said while waiting to take a bus from San Francisco to her job in Berkeley. “I work for a nonprofit. If I don’t do my job, I get fired. I’m kind of like, please come do your job so I can do my job.” Here's what the public has to say: Have BART run by a private sector company based out of the great state of texas. expect improved service, friendlier staff, friendlier police officers, improved service, cleaner and safer cars and stations, reduced fares, and so on. and if they go on strike, then they will be subjected to immediate termination. The poll goes against what I've been seeing online in blogs and other channels. I doubt its accuracy. Most of us are solidly against the 2 unions given what they earn against the general population. Most of the time, I am solidly PRO-UNION. This economy is NOWHERE near recovery. Unions should not be allowed to “take riders hostage” for their own personal income battles. As for hearing the sob stories about the workers and their personal so-called sacrifices shut it already. You go on strike and now have no pay until an agreement is reached is a responsibility that you shoulder. Everyone else shouldn't be forced to be a part of it!! Also, the number of kids an employee has doesn't automatically mean an increase in wages. Your income is based on the work you do and how well you perform. If 6 kids is to expensive, then maybe having fewer was the solution all along. I guess you will sing a different tune when the unions get their way and later on down the road an increased number of layoffs occur. Sometimes sacrificing a few dollars in pay (increase) is better than losing the job altogether. The TRUTH shall set you free! Oh yeah! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 3:38 AM How dare you disparage the lesbian couple who doesn't agree with your thug views. You are a shill for labor ho's? You are anti-private sector, anti-executives, anti-male, and a boor to boot. Too bad you can't get someone other than yourself to peddle such horse shit. Next time you're going to make up a fairy tale such as above, try to put some real facts together. Very convenient to put your own numbers together and then spin them until you get the results you're looking for. We've got your number, comrade. Why don't you go back to Mother Russia? Oh wait, they gave up that Communist shit that you peddle. Well, here in America we don't tolerate that crap either. You can't win, shill. Might as well give it up. Need to concentrate on the “longest and bloodiest strike since the 1970s” that you and your comrades are itching to engage. When you do, you will have sealed your fate. Will be 1981 all over again. EXEMPT will be your legacy, and well-deserved it will be! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 2:56 AM Troll- try and answer this REAL BART workers post. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I make $50,000 a year. Do you think I'm overpaid? I am going to be out of pocket with my medical coverage around $2000 this year and I am healthy. Do you think I have a platinum health plan? The average BART retiree (except for management) draws a $21,000 pension. Could you live on $21,000 a year? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 2:55 AM Troll- you use the same lines continually. This includes the Puerta(sic) Rican lesbian wife and I line. But, being an executive, it explains why you ALWAYS attack unions and the workers. You ALWAYS throw in the word whore in all your posts and NEVER blame management who are the biggest perk recipients and exploiters of PENSION SPIKING. You are the one who has the most posts on this string, and both of us know you are a single male who likes to bully people. LOL LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 2:10 AM Wow, my Puerta Rican lesbian wife and I can't believe such language, 'troll,' 'pig,' HOG,' and more. I am going to ask my congressman Mr. Swalwell to have a look at these unions which are causing all this trouble. I am an executive in the private sector and my wife works with high school students. We can't believe how unhinged these labor people are. They are out of control. My wife and I believe that you earn what you get. No free rides, and that includes Bart trains for all those non-employees. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 2:01 AM Ladies and Gentlemen, For your viewing pleasure the last four posts, excluding this one, are brought to you courtesy of that SINGLE Union Whore who trys to pass itself off as four different individuals. Lots of hyperbole, slant, and outright lies, but what do you expect from such a whorible individual? Game over. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 1:06 AM Troll—see above 6:03 post You never answered this–My husband said he saw it in a letters to the editor in the SF Chron. with a real name attached a few days ago. Look it up if you are not too lazy troll. Management's huge salaries bring up the average wage and have the huge pensions this taxpayer abhors. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 1:03 AM I too am disgusted by the childish and sexist remarks. I am an electronic technician at BART. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I make $50,000 a year. Do you think I'm overpaid? I am going to be out of pocket with my medical coverage around $2000 this year and I am healthy. Do you think I have a platinum health plan? The average BART retiree (except for management) draws a $21,000 pension. Could you live on $21,000 a year? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 12:47 AM troll-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz LMAO still LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 12:44 AM There you go getting all mental again troll. There are some good health programs that can help you get over your anti worker pro-management opinions. You'll never believe me and I don't care but I don't work for BART and/or the Union. BTW you never did answer the questions posed by a real BART worker post? But then again, we expect management, who are the biggest pigs, to be the pension spikers, It attitudes like yours that lead to work stoppages. When you try to bully people and use sexist terms, it never works. I know you're a man, and I'm sure you're single because of you attitude. OINK,OINK sexist pig LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 12:29 AM Son, or daughter as the case might be, YOU ARE PATHETIC! It never fails–everything I write you steal! Outstanding!! What a way to get my point across!! You really will need to pay me royalties on your plagiarism. We all know that stealing is second nature for union whores. It's what you do best–next to all those 'coffee breaks.' But, kid, you need to fight the urge. First you steal from the public trough–don't steal those words, too–and now you steal my fantastic verbiage. I'm both flattered and repulsed at the same time. Seriously, it's never too late, even for a union skank like you, to quit stealing. Drug addicts quit; some thieves go straight; and even YOU might, just might, be able to reform. First you need to stand in front of the mirror and say “I will give up being a union whore”–in unison three times. Next, you need to repent for your past transgressions by apologizing to the public for having stolen over the many years that you have been in the fold. Finally, and very important, you need to sell one of your luxury properties and donate the proceeds toward BART's deficit. Fair is fair. You are part and parcel of the problem that got BART where it is. Try, kid. If not, well, there is no future for you. LAYFA! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 12:15 AM troll-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz LMAO LikeLike Anonymous says: July 20, 2013 at 12:14 AM I have exposed you, and you lost big time. ANSWER the QUESTIONS anti-union troll. You are still lying and disgusting and deceitful and sexist, but so far out of line and off base it makes me laugh even more. Why don't you ever attack the biggest hogs-management? Oh wait, you are them! Why don't you try addressing a real BART worker–copied from an above post? I too am disgusted by the childish and sexist remarks. I am an electronic technician at BART. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I make $50,000 a year. Do you think I'm overpaid? I am going to be out of pocket with my medical coverage around $2000 this year and I am healthy. Do you think I have a platinum health plan? The average BART retiree (except for management) draws a $21,000 pension. Could you live on $21,000 a year?time. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 11:24 PM You will NEVER have the last word with me. You are a sick, pathetic creature who needs to go to sleep–permanently. You have nothing to offer except plagiarizing my terms “LAYFA,” “troll,” and more. While I know it might be the sincerest form of flattery, with you it's downright pitiful. You are the definition of pathetic in the Miriam Webster Dictionary. All you do is both lie and lie–on your fat ass and do no work at all. That is why the public has abandoned you. It's over, and you are the loser pen ultimate. Want to steal those words too? First look up the meaning so it doesn't go over your thimble-sized head. Son, or daughter as the case might be, you and only you have chosen to take me on–and you've come up on the losing side each and every time. I've counted at least half a dozen folks on this forum who you've pissed off. You definitely need to get out of the business of trying to promote the union. With friends like you, well hell Ronald Reagan was a more loyal friend in true for them. Time for a 19th coffee break. Kid, it's over–and you have lost BIG TIME. So as a member of Union Whores Local UWFU 666, I was asked by a guy why we at BART would go out on strike. I told the guy that my cushy place in Piedmont still needs to be paid off and I have another one in Vail that I need to make payments on. He said, wait a minute, I'm talking about the rank and file workers, the 'average Joe's,' not management. I told him that I am an 'average Joe' and not management. Hell, I told him that many of us on the line pull down a hella lot more than management. He said to me, how can this be? So I told him keep it to yourself, but we own the politicians, can always arouse the public's sympathy, and then just yell 'STRIKE!' to end up with the sweetheart bocu bucks packagaes that we always get in the end. Guy says it hardly seems fair to him since he can't get anything like that, and he's in management. I tell him friend, such is the audacious power of our cushy 'collective' bargaining. He replies, well, it really sounds like you guys are just suckling on the public tit. I said keep your voice down. But baby thats exactly what it is! Oh yeah!! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 10:31 PM Aqui! Aqui! Mano es verdad!!! Muy excellente! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 10:30 PM Nice try troll, but no cigar. Well troll-you are still lying and disgusting and deceitful and sexist, but so far out line and off base it makes me chuckle even more. Why don't you ever attack the biggest hogs-management? Oh wait, you are them! Why don't you try addressing a real BART worker–copied from an above post? I too am disgusted by the childish and sexist remarks. I am an electronic technician at BART. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I make $50,000 a year. Do you think I'm overpaid? I am going to be out of pocket with my medical coverage around $2000 this year and I am healthy. Do you think I have a platinum health plan? The average BART retiree (except for management) draws a $21,000 pension. Could you live on $21,000 a year? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 9:04 PM On behalf of the public, I want to thank the poster 11:41 for the one and only truthful statement made–second sentence of second paragraph, “I am an electronic technician at BART.” The FACT that this person has so much time on his hands as to post vitriolic statements on this, and I'm sure additional web sites, illustrates the case in point exactly: union 'workers' have way too much time on their hands and barely perform any work at all. Yes, the public sure is getting its money's worth. So absolutely, let's pour more taxpayer $$$ down a rotten rat hole. After all, there are always those 18 coffee breaks during the 'work' day. Seriously though, many thanks 11:41. You made the case so convincingly for us. We couldn't have illustrated your point any better than a first person account. The public thanks you for confirming what we already knew to be true. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 8:33 PM Aqui! Aqui! Mano es verdad!!! Muy excellente! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 8:32 PM So as a member of Union Whores Local UWFU 666, I was asked by a guy why we at BART would go out on strike. I told the guy that my cushy place in Piedmont still needs to be paid off and I have another one in Vail that I need to make payments on. He said, wait a minute, I'm talking about the rank and file workers, the 'average Joe's,' not management. I told him that I am an 'average Joe' and not management. Hell, I told him that many of us on the line pull down a hella lot more than management. He said to me, how can this be? So I told him keep it to yourself, but we own the politicians, can always arouse the public's sympathy, and then just yell 'STRIKE!' to end up with the sweetheart bocu bucks packagaes that we always get in the end. Guy says it hardly seems fair to him since he can't get anything like that, and he's in management. I tell him friend, such is the audacious power of our cushy 'collective' bargaining. He replies, well, it really sounds like you guys are just suckling on the public tit. I said keep your voice down. But baby thats exactly what it is! Oh yeah!! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 6:43 PM Aqui! Aqui! Mano es verdad!!! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 6:43 PM Well troll-you are still lying and disgusting and deceitful and sexist, but so far out line and off base it makes me chuckle even more. Why don't you ever attack the biggest hogs-management? Oh wait, you are them! Why don't you try addressing a real BART worker–copied from an above post? I too am disgusted by the childish and sexist remarks. I am an electronic technician at BART. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I make $50,000 a year. Do you think I'm overpaid? I am going to be out of pocket with my medical coverage around $2000 this year and I am healthy. Do you think I have a platinum health plan? The average BART retiree (except for management) draws a $21,000 pension. Could you live on $21,000 a year? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 6:32 PM Aqui! Aqui! Mano es verdad!!! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 6:32 PM So as a member of Union Whores Local UWFU 666, I was asked by a guy why we at BART would go out on strike. I told the guy that my cushy place in Piedmont still needs to be paid off and I have another one in Vail that I need to make payments on. He said, wait a minute, I'm talking about the rank and file workers, the 'average Joe's,' not management. I told him that I am an 'average Joe' and not management. Hell, I told him that many of us on the line pull down a hella lot more than management. He said to me, how can this be? So I told him keep it to yourself, but we own the politicians, can always arouse the public's sympathy, and then just yell 'STRIKE!' to end up with the sweetheart bocu bucks packagaes that we always get in the end. Guy says it hardly seems fair to him since he can't get anything like that, and he's in management. I tell him friend, such is the audacious power of our cushy 'collective' bargaining. He replies, well, it really sounds like you guys are just suckling on the public tit. I said keep your voice down. But baby thats exactly what it is! Oh yeah!! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 5:43 PM Anti-union troll-why do you keep trying to pretend you are someone else? Plus, your sexist remarks are getting you nowhere! It's the pension spiking management thugs like yourself that people are disgusted with. Still LAYFA. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 4:56 PM 5:10 gets it. “Union whores are finished!” Also, if you're going to steal the term LAYFA, which was created by 5:10, then you union shills need to credit the originator. Probably shouldn't be surprised; union whores rob the public blind and empty the public till to live fatly off the taxpayers, so why not also steal from those with whom they disagree. Sad story of their existence, and pathetic commentary of good folks like Samuel Gompers, who are turning over in their graves by the actions of today's brutal Labor thugs. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 4:45 PM Anti-union troll-why do you keep trying to pretend you are someone else? Plus, your sexist remarks are getting you nowhere! It's the pension spiking management thugs like yourself that people are disgusted with. Still LAYFA. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 3:47 PM 5:10 gets it. “Union whores are finished!” Also, if you're going to steal the term LAYFA, which was created by 5:10, then you union shills need to credit the originator. Probably shouldn't be surprised; union whores rob the public blind and empty the public till to live fatly off the taxpayers, so why not also steal from those with whom they disagree. Sad story of their existence, and pathetic commentary of good folks like Samuel Gompers, who are turning over in their graves by the actions of today's brutal Labor thugs. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 6:31 AM Temper, Temper anti union–pro management troll. Your mental instability is showing. You're like a child who got his hand caught in the cookie jar. LAYFA LikeLike Anonymous says: July 19, 2013 at 12:10 AM You are a disgusting whore who continues to mock everyone, thinking everyone is one in the same. Son, or daughter as the case might be, glad that you give me so much credit–even if I don't rightfully deserve it. The fact that others agree that that union whores have corrupted and polluted the public well bodes really badly for you. Don't ever believe what you mother told you, you are indeed pathetic. Please do us all a favor and go to lie down. You just don't get it and never will. Really hope your union votes in some new leaders the next go around. Having a loser like you who couldn't tell day from night is really doing your comrades a disservice. It's one thing to try and advocate for the unions, but the people are truly against you, and you should definitely take credit for much of this. You're anything but persuasive, and more to the point, don't have a grasp of the rhetoric that you are spewing. Your friends Josie HO'Mahoney, Sharon Whornu, and Josie HOmacho, really are failing with you being out there. Better go to bed, young one, you're truly a pathetic loser who is in way over your head. LAYFA! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 18, 2013 at 8:11 AM Anon 9:52—4:22 and 5:01 is the same person. It's the troll that people are talking about trying to be clever. He is really disturbed, so he tries to disguise himself. Most of us are more angry at management's large salaries, benefits and pension spiking than we are at your middle class salary and benefits. I hope you can settle your differences and not be forced into another work stoppage. I could not afford to live on 21,000 dollars a year. My rent and food come to more than that. Good luck. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 18, 2013 at 4:53 AM I too am disgusted by the childish and sexist remarks. I am an electronic technician at BART. I have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. I make $50,000 a year. Do you think I'm overpaid? I am going to be out of pocket with my medical coverage around $2000 this year and I am healthy. Do you think I have a platinum health plan? The average BART retiree (except for management) draws a $21,000 pension. Could you live on $21,000 a year? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM My husband and I are truly mortified by the disgusting arguing and filthy language that has been going back and forth. We usually don't get into these issues, however, it has become clear that Bart's unions are out of control and have resorted to hooliganism. While we still consider ourselves for the Labor movement we do not support the unions in this go-around. My father was a tradesman in Yonkers, NY, in the 1940s, and were he alive today he would be completely disgusted by such thuggery. Shame on you! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 17, 2013 at 11:43 PM So says the anti union troll. BTW don't work for Bart or a union, but you must work for management. OINK OINK OINK LAYFA LikeLike Anonymous says: July 17, 2013 at 11:23 PM You are a UNION WHORE who belongs with the rest of your kind. Not only can you not read but you choose to outright lie regarding the public. If you would take your head out of your ass for even a minute, I know that's asking way too much of you, and learn to read English, then you'd know that the majority of the Bay Area public has said the unions are on the wrong side. They support back to work right now with a strike off the table. The public will be only too happy to take your vastly overpaid, cushy jobs and actually work for a living rather than always complaining. If I was never convinced in the past that you were a union whore working for the larded upper echelon, I now know for a fact that you are. That's o.k., because you and your comrades have lost–BIG TIME. You will receive your cum uppance when BART is soon made exempt, and I will definitely be coming back again and again to say as loudly as possible “I SURE TOLD YOU SO!” By the way, sonny, you need to wash your mouth out with bleach. You definitely have public relations issues. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 17, 2013 at 9:52 PM Anti-union troll—I call B.S. on your above answer. Time after time on the Citizen, not just on this topic, you have come down on managements side and NEVER the unions. The public has been polled and they want both sides to compromise and reach an agreement, even if both sides have to give a little. I just read in today's paper that the 20k per year management bonuses were rolled into their salaries. I guess $300,000+ salaries and thousands more in benefits aren't enough. Since this is now part of their salary, it will be compounded with any future % raises and will effect vacation, PENSIONS, sick leave, and severance pay. Can you say management PENSION SPIKING. OINK! Remember BART managers already make 4-7 times the workers pay and they get ALL their benefits + a plethora of just for management benefits, that lead to the NOW even more pension spiking. OINK, OINK,OINK As a taxpayer, I don't mind paying for middle class salaries and benefits, but I DO object that these BART managers expect to live like KINGS on our dime. FAIR is FAIR. Shame on you for sticking up for the HOGS. They get everything they want and MORE without a strike. The rich get RICHER. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 17, 2013 at 4:00 AM Good for you to copy twice 'since everyone….' On this go around, the unions are wrong. They've got it too good compared to others out there. I've stated this ad nauseum in the past. You don't happen to agree. Too easy to pit one group against the other. There are defined classes, which you don't like or respect. Too bad. Management hasn't threatened to have the 'longest, bloodiest strike since the 1970s.' Obviously it is exempt from being able to strike, and so too should labor. What's good for one is definitely good for the other. I don't come down blindly for one or against the other. I look at each issue individually; if I favor labor, I'll say so. If I favor management, I'll say so. I don't blindly pledge allegiance to one or the other. There are times when management has been wrong, however, this is not one of them. The public has been polled and a majority has said that the unions are wrong on this one. The compromise this time around is EXEMPTING BART unions from either threatening or disrupting vital services ever again. You don't agree. Fine. The unions are more than making the case for this needed reform. All I need to do is sit back and let them add the final nail in their coffin. Next time you might want to come out against all of the give-aways that the unions have received over the years. Very easy to go after one group and leave the other alone. If you think traveling for free on BART for workers and their families for life is right, I have a bridge to sell you. Last time I checked IRS union employees had to pay their taxes just like everyone else. No elimination nor reduction in taxes owed. Everyone pays what they owe. Fair is fair. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 17, 2013 at 3:19 AM I'm copying this twice because everyone else is. Anti worker person–after reading this string, you don't seem to care if management has these hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries and extra benefits. Why not? Are you that pro management that you don' care? I care about these ridiculous management pensions, also in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range. Why don't you? Did you come from management? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 17, 2013 at 2:39 AM Here's one just for you above” PISS OFF! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 17, 2013 at 1:51 AM you're delusional and dishonest if you think whore is not a sexist term LikeLike Anonymous says: July 16, 2013 at 11:47 PM Back at you, kids. Do continue to fantasize, because EXEMPTION's happening, whether you like it or not! BTW, whores are both male and female in 2013. I don't discriminate. There are plenty of you in both genders. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 16, 2013 at 11:34 PM It sounds like the anti union troll has mommy issues–LOL LikeLike Anonymous says: July 16, 2013 at 11:14 PM Troll—you can't even put someone down without being sexist like the one blogger accused you of. You really seem to need professional help. You have this make believe world as your reality. Just saying. Please get help. We'll pray for you. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 16, 2013 at 3:31 PM Lookie, lookie, the union whore again–fighting reality. Remember I told you so when I told you so. Also, using my phrase for 'livin' in a dream' world, which you are! LAYFA! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 16, 2013 at 7:10 AM It's the anti-union troll again living in his own dream world. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. How mental are you? Get help for your delusions!!! LMFAO LikeLike Anonymous says: July 16, 2013 at 12:13 AM The law allows for BART to become exempt, which Don Perata threatened to do. He might have been insincere since he was constantly on the unions' take, however, the idea is valid. It is the only answer, must and will happen. Once BART is exempt, you and your wife won't have to fear the demon unions anymore. We're doing this in part for you. Enough is enough!! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 11:27 PM The only person trying to disguise himself/herself is the person who only attacks the unions and not management. By my count he/she has over half the posts on this thread. The Supreme Court gave public employees the right to strike except for Police and Fire. Police and Fire have binding arbitration instead of the right to strike. How has that worked out for you? Both Police and Fire are far above other public employees when it comes to salary and benefits, except for management employees. Compromise is the only answer. Enough is enough! My wife and I live in Hayward and need BART to get to work. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 10:58 PM Very interesting the way the same individual consistently ridicules 12:32 by trying to disguise himself between each post. My husband and I have lived in Castro Valley for more than 40 years and we had no idea that BART unions could become exempt from strikes. We plan to write to our state representatives about pursuing that course of action. Enough is enough. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 9:40 PM Spoken like a shill who has her head up her ass! LAYFA LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 9:09 PM Obviously the person commenting against unions is a sexist and a conservative male. Anyone can tell by the language he uses. People who aren't very smart use sexist and foul language and try to belittle to try and make themselves feel important . He's getting destroyed on this blog but does not know how bad he comes across. I'm sure he's not here to persuade but to antagonize. LOL LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 8:17 PM To the person always attacking unions—As reported in the paper last week: Officials have been especially critical of Tom Hock, a consultant who is being paid $400,000 to negotiate the contracts. He was hired by Bart's GM, who herself is making over $400,000 in salary + benefits, and was forced to resign from Seattle's transportation system for major mistakes. Hock is no stranger to contentious labor negotiations, accusations of bad faith bargaining and strikes. The company he previously owned had at least 21 labor violation filed against it according to the NLRB. An additional 20 violations were filed after Viola Transportation acquired his company. Some cases were settled outside of the NLRB, records show, including charges of regressive, bad-faith and surface bargaining with bus workers in Phoenix. Hock was the lead negotiator there, which resulted in a 5 day strike. Sound familiar. Federal officials found merit to the allegations. Representatives complain that Hock deliberately tries to instigate strikes by refusing to bargain, thinking it will strengthen his position later. Negotiators have complained that Hock intentionally stalled the start of bargaining and repeatedly delayed offering proposals or responses or supplying information during bargaining. Sound familiar? Many believe he forced the Bart strike just as he did the bus strike in Phoenix, to try and gain advantage. My family relies on Bart to get around the area and none belong to unions, although I wish I did. When the unions were strong—we had a large and wealthy middle class. Now that they are weaker and fewer—we have a smaller and shrinking middle class. It's better to have more wealth concentrated in the middle class to help keep our economy strong. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 7:32 PM Son, or daughter, as the case may be, you just don't get it. As one who has worked in the legislative arena–something that is too tall thinking for you to grasp–'special' bills happen ALL the time. Case in point, SF Assemblyman Phil Ting's bill to make an end-run around the state conservation commission's approval process of the proposed Warriors arena for SF. [Want to tell me that that affects the whole state?] Fact is, and I deal in facts, you union whores have played havoc with the public one time too many. Yes, Virgil or Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus, and he is going to hang you shills out to dry. The public will be the winners–that's the compromise. But hey, no problem from my end. I continue to sit back and let the whores do the public's bidding. Just like one of the entrenched presidents said, “Get ready for the longest, BLOODIEST strike since the 1970s.” Don Perata laid the groundwork and someone else, perhaps Darrel Steinberg who is termed out and has nothing to lose, will lay down the gauntlet to pass this vital legislation. By the way, kid, I don't want this to go over your head but 'urgency' bills are passed all the time. Regular calendar doesn't apply. Such a 'bloody' strike would more than make the case. Change is coming, kid, whether you like it or not. And the public will be the winners. Class dismissed. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 7:02 PM As it was explained above a few times that won't happen because there are only a few Senators and Assemblymembers that are affected by the BART shut down. It would have to be introduced next year because the timeline to introduce new bills is past, and by next legislative session it won't be a priority for the 90% of the legislators that aren't in our area. We live in a real world, not I wish it would happen world, so I believe the adult answer is compromise. A BART rider LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 6:47 PM The public isn't interested in what goes on with BART negotiations, nor should it be. It wants, and needs, to know that the trains are going to run as scheduled and on time. This is what it expects and frankly, deserves. As time after time has shown each and every four year cycle, this can't happen unimpeded. Therefore, the adult answer is to put these unions in the same 'critical need' category as police, fire, and ambulatory. Nothing new or draconian about this. Once it's explained and Sacramento institutes it, which it will, life can go on for all of us. This is the only answer, which is so easy it makes one wonder why it wasn't achieved long before. Frankly, legislator after legislator ought to be knocking each other over as to who can claim credit for introducing this bill. The public will reward that person with the governorship! Game over. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 6:14 PM I'm not sure why everyone is doing this twice? The public wants compromise to end this, unlike you, who seems only to attack one side, and don't seem concerned about the more ridiculous management with their mistakes and extremely high salaries and benefits. A BART rider LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 3:26 PM Spoken lie a true A–hole! Too bad you don't come down on the side of the public. Whore away! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 7:24 AM Troll—I'd like to have an intellectual battle with you—but you are unarmed! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 2:40 AM Do continue to keep your head where the sun don't shine! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 15, 2013 at 2:24 AM Anti-union troll-if you knew what you were talking about, we might pay attention-but you don't, so we won't. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 6:17 PM You're getting mad, which means you know that you and your whorible friends are about to be cut just below the waist. And you're copying my language, the sincerest form of flattery. You're going EXEMPT! Aqui! Aqui! Por absolutamente! Just sayin', ya'll!! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 5:44 PM Agree with Anon. 5:54 and Anon. 10:28 LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 3:06 PM True Dat! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 5:58 AM Anti union troll you give stupid a new definition. Compromise is coming whether you like it or not. Aqui! Aqui! Por absolutamente! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 5:46 AM Aqui! Aqui! Por absolutamente! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 5:45 AM That's what police and fire once said. It's coming, whether you like it or not! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 5:28 AM So says the anti-union troll who knows nothing about Sacramento. It won't even be introduced. Even if it was there are only about 8 assembly members and 4 senators that are even effected. That leaves about 72 assembly members and 36 senators whose districts are not effected and could care less about BART. That's why the Governor who still has a loft in Oakland sent the mediators to work out a compromise. It's our only realistic hope to avoid a strike that will inconvenience us all. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 2:17 AM It will pass the NEXT time. Have no doubt. When Don Perata mentioned this the last time around he was laying the ground work, which will be taken up by someone else. I take the union ho president who mentioned on the news that the public “should get ready for the longest 'bloodiest' BART strike since the 1970s” at her word. I don't doubt her or the other union whores for one moment. On the contrary. I can only count down the days and moments to such a strike. When that happens, it will all but seal the fate of making BART exempt. You will see the most liberal of lawmakers bending over backwards and standing on their heads championing the public to introduce this legislation. This is actually going to be a saving grace since it will settle this issue once and for all. Can't come soon enough for me. I hail from the real world, and change is coming sooner than you think. This is one time too many that the unions overplayed their hand, and they will be receiving their cumuppance because of it. The public will be the winners, along with management, who gets it. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 14, 2013 at 12:54 AM It's not going to be done and you would know that if you were familiar with the Sacramento scene. Besides that, the legislation would have had to pass one house already for this year. It hasn't and no new legislation can be introduced for this year. The majority of the legislature and their constituents are not effected by the BART strike, so it will never pass even if it was introduced, which it was not. Stop your dreaming. The only solution is compromise which is what the people demand and want. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 13, 2013 at 6:37 PM Why don't police and fire strike? Because by law they are not allowed. BART needs to be placed in the same category, which Don Perata mentioned once, even if he wasn't sincere. It absolutely can be done and must be. The time is now. This is what the people demand! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 13, 2013 at 6:35 PM Why don't police and fire strike? Because by law they are not allowed. BART needs to be placed in the same category, which Don Perata mentioned once, even if he wasn't sincere. It absolutely can be done and must be the time is now. This is what the people demand! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 13, 2013 at 8:28 AM Sounds like Bart needs to get rid of their $400,000 General Manager. If she wasn't good enough for Seattle and forced out, why in the world did she get hired here? Oh wait, we are the haven for these overpaid bureaucrats. I heard the County had a $400,000 administrator also. I wonder how much their pensions will cost us? Most of us who work in S.F. need Bart to get there. Both sides need to compromise and get this damn thing settled. We can't afford another strike! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 13, 2013 at 6:12 AM The pathetic one is you who doesn't seem to care for compromise to settle the dispute. I'm glad you are in a small minority that seem to want to antagonize and bully one group, over all of us that need to use Bart. I watched the news tonight and almost everyone interviewed said they wanted each side to give a little or wanted both sides to compromise. That's what reasonable people do when they want to settle differences. That's why the Governor of California sent mediators to help resolve this. We can be stubborn or we can be smart. Stubborn got us into this mess, now we have to be smart so this dispute will be over and settled amicably. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 13, 2013 at 1:32 AM Sticks and stones, sonny boy! You are pathetic. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 13, 2013 at 1:16 AM I rag on both you don't. You only are pissed off at the unions which is so biased that you are the anti-union troll that puts up posting after posting always against the unions. Sacramento won't do that and any sane person knows they won't. That's only the answer in your altered mental state. Compromise is the only answer, otherwise we will have another strike. That might not bother you, just like the the 400,000 dollar salary for the Bart manager doesn't seem to bother you, but it sure as hell bothers the rest of us who have to rely on Bart to get us to work. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 13, 2013 at 12:05 AM I copied this from another poster–but as a BART rider, I agree with it. Same old rag on management as always–“layer upon layer….” Answer: Sacramento, make BART exempt from strikes just like police and fire are. The law says that neither can strike, but they are still labor and everything works out in the end. That's the answer, the only answer. Problem solved. This will be the answer because the public won't tolerate BART union bullies blackmailing us anymore. The unions will be exempt from striking because BART will be deemed too critical, just like police and fire. This will happen, whether you like it or not. Even old Don Perata, bought and paid for by the unions and their chief stooge, said so last time around. The public will demand this, which is why it is inevitable. This will be the last time the labor bullies F with the public. Problem solved. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 12, 2013 at 10:58 PM I don't work for Bart or the unions, but am a Bart rider whose pissed off about a strike that didn't have to occur. I blame both sides, unlike you, but blame management the most. They have a general manager who makes over 400,000 in wages and benefits, just took a 20,000 raise, and hired Tom Hock of Veola Transportation Service who has been accused of ignoring labor law for another 400,000 dollars. This is taxpayer money and I am outraged. They wouldn't even give the unions safety concessions that would benefit us Bart riders. This same 400,000 dollar Bart General Manager, Grace Crunican, had to resign from Seattle's transportation director after criticism for poor management decisions there. The Governor of California doesn't make as much as this seemingly incompetent Bart manager. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 12, 2013 at 10:56 PM I rag on both you don't. You only are pissed off at the unions which is so biased that you are the anti-union troll that puts up posting after posting always against the unions. Sacramento won't do that and any sane person knows they won't. That's only the answer in your altered mental state. Compromise is the only answer, otherwise we will have another strike. That might not bother you, just like the the 400,000 dollar salary for the Bart manager doesn't seem to bother you, but it sure as hell bothers the rest of us who have to rely on Bart to get us to work. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 12, 2013 at 7:51 PM I copied this from another poster–but as a BART rider, I agree with it. Same old rag on management as always–“layer upon layer….” Answer: Sacramento, make BART exempt from strikes just like police and fire are. The law says that neither can strike, but they are still labor and everything works out in the end. That's the answer, the only answer. Problem solved. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 12, 2013 at 7:45 PM I copied this from another poster–but as a Bart rider I agree with it. I don't work for Bart or the unions, but am a Bart rider whose pissed off about a strike that didn't have to occur. I blame both sides, unlike you, but blame management the most. They have a general manager who makes over 400,000 in wages and benefits, just took a 20,000 raise, and hired Tom Hock of Veola Transportation Service who has been accused of ignoring labor law for another 400,000 dollars. This is taxpayer money and I am outraged. They wouldn't even give the unions safety concessions that would benefit us Bart riders. This same 400,000 dollar Bart General Manager, Grace Crunican, had to resign from Seattle's transportation director after criticism for poor management decisions there. The Governor of California doesn't make as much as this seemingly incompetent Bart manager. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 12, 2013 at 3:41 PM Same old rag on management as always–“layer upon layer….” Answer: Sacramento, make BART exempt from strikes just like police and fire are. The law says that neither can strike, but they are still labor and everything works out in the end. That's the answer, the only answer. Problem solved. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 12, 2013 at 6:55 AM Most unbiased people see management as the bigger pigs. They have more benefits and percs and two to three times more in outrageous pensions. They then brought in an anti union negotiating team that tried to bully the middle class workers instead of negotiating with them. So yes, I believe both sides have to compromise, but I will blame the 200,000 and 300,000 pension hogs more than a worker who will get 50,000 to 70,000 in pension after 30 years. Now that state mediators are here both sides are actually negotiating again. This could have avoided the strike if management at Bart had more wisdom. They have layers upon layers of managers at Bart and they are far and away more over paid than most public agencies. Yes I'm angry because I couldn't take Bart to work, and will put the blame on both sides, but mostly with their top hogs(managers). By the way, I've only seen you attack unions. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 12, 2013 at 4:33 AM I absolutely agree, so quit ragging on ONLYA management! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 12, 2013 at 3:58 AM I don't work for Bart. The fact that you keep attacking the Unions and not management who have far more perks and benefits indicates to the other readers that you must be in management of some kind, are just unfair, or you are the anti union troll that people have been talking about. It's hard to have a discussion with someone who is so biased. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 11, 2013 at 10:59 PM Nice try, but you're a shill for the unions. Not going to fly here. If the gazillion that you're already stealing out of the public's pocket isn't enough for you, then quit your cushy BART unionized job! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 11, 2013 at 10:57 PM I never worked for Bart or a Union, but am a Bart rider. Management are the worst offenders of bocu bucks and more perks than you can shake a stick at. Just look at the past manager collecting 400,000 in salary for not working and manager after manager collecting 100,000-300,000 in pensions. I'm guessing you were in management and you are trying to excuse the biggest pigs at the trough of tax payer dollars. Your quote ” If you want to be management, then go that route. It's called management for a reason.” Shame on you! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 11, 2013 at 6:38 PM The point is that labor has continually gotten drunk with bocu bucks and perks–employees and their families ride free—-for life!–at the expense of the working stiff public. If you want to be management, then go that route. It's called management for a reason. Guessing you struck out and had to be taken in by the unions. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 11, 2013 at 5:58 PM The point is the huge management salaries with their outrageous benefits and pensions. This is the same management that hired an anti union firm to negotiate with the unions. This led to the strike. Now that the State has involved unbiased mediators to help negotiate, both sides are working towards solutions. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 11, 2013 at 4:12 PM anti-union troll booooring zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz LikeLike Anonymous says: July 11, 2013 at 3:39 PM You are the same illiterate labor whore who wants to lard your pockets at the expense of the public. No need to disguise anything. The truth speaks power to the people! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 11, 2013 at 12:18 PM deja vu LikeLike Anonymous says: July 11, 2013 at 8:36 AM you are an anti-union troll that has nothing meaningful to say. You have appeared in article after article writing the same anti-union crap dozens of times. You try and disguise yourself, but your words and style are too easy to spot. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 10, 2013 at 3:18 PM So sad that's your only argument and how wrong you are about who's who. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 10, 2013 at 7:02 AM I agree management made a huge mistake by bringing in anti-union negotiators at the beginning while racking up huge management salaries and benefits. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 10, 2013 at 3:02 AM So true. I also agree. Strikers really got it wrong. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 10, 2013 at 2:01 AM So sad that's your only argument and how wrong you are about who's who. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 8, 2013 at 11:51 PM Oh, look above. It's the anti-union troll blogging again! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 6, 2013 at 9:42 PM Like the last person wrote, “So much for free speech.” Really nice of you to give an F about the first amendment and other points of view, Steve! Strikers backfired big-time. They lost this one before even going out. Public won't tolerate such lard. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 5, 2013 at 9:51 AM 2:13 you are an anti-union troll that has nothing meaningful to say. You have appeared in article after article writing the same anti-union crap dozens of times. You try and disguise yourself, but your words and style are too easy to spot. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 4, 2013 at 10:10 PM How wrong you are ….2:13 is far from anti union. Just call a spade a spade. To not recognize that Wilma is closely aligned with labor is just not being honest. There would be better choices in elected officials if the criteria is finding an impartial mediator. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 4, 2013 at 12:07 AM 2:13 is the anti union blogger who has filled up this thread with post after post. He or she has a unique writing style that is hard to miss. I don't work for Wilma, but am glad she helped save our hospital. I'm a retired senior who uses that hospital. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 3, 2013 at 10:11 PM That sort of presumptuous … how do you know 2:13 is not one of SL civic leaders? Maybe a high ranking city bureaucrat, or a doctor or other safety official. Sure hope Wilma rewards you for your kind words. Maybe gets a job in her office, if you arent already working for her. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 3, 2013 at 6:56 PM Wilma Chan has done more for our residents than 2:13 has ever done. For one thing she was instrumental in saving San Leandro hospital, which will save our residents lives. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 3, 2013 at 7:03 AM I agree with the above post. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 9:33 PM Anon 1:47, There is literally nothing to regard about what 11:28 has to say. He hates Unions and workers, and in his reference to PATCO he makes it clear that he wants to see BART workers fired. 11:28 isn't here to persuade the undecided, he's here to troll. OTOH, neither you or 11:28 regards today's earlier posts which discuss the actual proposals put forth by the workers. Anyone who claims they “used to have respect for labor” would at least give lip service to considering the facts of this dispute, rather than rejecting the strike as “ill-conceived” straight away. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 9:13 PM Hahahahaha Wilma Chan impartial?!! Wtf …. is that a joke? Hahahahaahaha she is the biggest labor tool north of Richard Valle! Come on now and y'all got jokes LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 8:47 PM Nice that you both–one in the same–ridicule 11:28 but disregard all that he/she mentions. Also 'cute' that you malign this person when you have nothing to offer to the points mentioned. I used to have respect for labor, but after this ill-conceived strike they've lost my support. Keep making your case that labor can do no wrong. They'll be many more converts like me who will ask our representatives to reign them in. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 8:38 PM Anon-11:28 Try and stay calm if you can and I somewhat agree with 12:45 about your mental health and your hatred of unions. I don't belong to a union but wish I did. Maybe Perata might volunteer to mediate. I liked Don, and I think all sides would trust him. Compromise is the only way to get this settled. Your screaming does nothing to get the matter resolved. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 7:45 PM 11:28–you seem mentally unstable in your hatred of unions –are you off your meds? Please get help–I'm sorry and will say a prayer for you. Remember unions create good jobs and benefits which help our economy –take care LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 6:28 PM Union Whores Unite, in the end you will lose your fight. Public has no sympathy for your 'class warfare' shit. Sacramento is going to exempt your asses and then you'll either do your jobs or go the way of PATCO. You do remember that, don't you–1981! You can only push the public so far before you're pushed over the cliff and on the unemployment lines for good. Laugh if you want, but that's what they did all those years ago, too. Even Don Perata started to push back, and while he might be gone, others will step up to the plate. The public can play hardball too, and in the end it all comes down to us. You want to keep on screwin', then bring it on! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 6:02 PM Anonymous 10:42—I agree with you—I too trust Wilma to do what's right for ALL sides, including the public. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 5:42 PM MW–I think your last tongue in cheek comment actually has some merit. Since neither side has given their last, best and final offer–it probably can be resolved somewhere in the middle with both sides compromising a little. I would suggest Wilma Chan has the respect of both sides and could resolve this quite quickly, and get us back on Bart, which I need to get around the Bay Area. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 5:29 PM Anon 9:59– you are getting wiped like the piece of shit you are–pull your head out of your ass and look at the outrageous management salaries and benefits. How stupid and stubborn are you? LOL LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 5:29 PM By MW: Today's SF Chronicle (in other words of Tuesday, July 2, 2013) has some articles on the BART strike, and with at least some of those articles mentioning that in past situations, and such as for instance in 1997, that Willie Brown used his influence to get things settled between BART's management and the employees. However some commenters took the position that allowing politicians, and especially Willie Brown, to get involved was and is very foolish, since they believed that in such situations the politicians act basically as prostitutes bought and paid for by the unions, and therefore the “solutions” the politicians come up with have the longterm effect of selling the general public downriver. However Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley has repeatedly insisted that he himself is not affected by who gives him large election campaign contributions, in other words that he is too honest and has too much integrity to be bought and sold to the highest bidder the way most politicians are. So therefore since Nate Miley is so “extremely honest,” so “extremely wise,” and has “so much integrity,” I therefore propose that the BART strike be settled by requiring both sides to submit to binding arbitration handled by Nate Miley. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 5:11 PM Aqui! Aqui! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 5:06 PM anon above -written like an anti-union scab who writes the same crap on this blog time after time after time after time zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 4:59 PM Written and spun like true union stooges who perpetuate the same crap time and again. Applause! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 4:44 PM People who believe that the smooth operation of a mass transit system which moves hundreds of thousands of people to their destinations every day only requires pushing buttons and sitting in booths are people who are willfully and extremely misinformed. Why do they attack fellow members of the middle class with such claptrap? LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 3:47 PM In this thread, I note the following lies and problematic characterizations: “BART is too critical and definitely in that league to be allowed to pull this shit every four years. Yes, the unions pull this shit EVERY four years.” LIE. The last strike at BART was in 1997. “The REAL world doesn't work this way, and the private sector would never tolerate this shit for a second.” WRONG. One example: Registered Nurses at the private Sutter Hospitals in the East Bay have conducted at least 6 strikes in the last two years to stand up for nursing and patient care standards. They are executing their right to do so, and the private sector cannot ban legally protected collective action. “If the board just fired the lot and opened up the jobs they would be flooded with qualified applicants who would happily work for 25% less…” …and safety at BART would be compromised, and the compensation and work standards for everyone in the Bay Area would be damaged. “I will push the buttons at BART for half the pay. I am currently unemployed with a BS in engineering from UC.” And your willingness to sell out your brother and sister engineers is shameful and shortsighted. BART engineers are fighting for the standards of your profession. They are not to blame for your unemployment. You worked hard for your degree and probably paid a lot of tuition for it, and you deserve to be compensated fairly for your high skills. “Time to privatize. We cannot be held hostage by labor unions no more.” As made clear above, unions exist in the private sector as well. Because of horrible labor law and ruthless management practices, private sector unions have receded from their peak membership percentage in the 1950's. Of course, that's what this commenter might like. Too bad for the middle class that too many people have been snookered by billionaires to slit their own economic throats. “Demanding 23%–might as well demand ownership of a public resource.” Horse hockey. The 23% proposal was over the course of 4 years moving forward, and that is after wages for these workers have been frozen for 5 years, which meant that they lost pay to inflation. 23% over 9 years is less than 3% per year. Compare this to management's proposal, which just moved up to 8% total wage increases over the life of the proposed contract (which would be a less than 1% annual wage increase over 9 years), while at the same time management proposes workers pay more into their health insurance plan, which is a pay CUT. All this at a time when the workers helped BART achieve its first budget surplus since the recession hit. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 3:34 PM Aqui! Aqui! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 9:00 AM I have been unemployed for 2 years they should offer me a job at BART and I will take less than half to work. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 7:31 AM 3:27 you should read 2:58. He or she makes a lot more sense than you! You are an anti-union scab and a troll for management. Strike es bueno aqui. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 2, 2013 at 4:42 AM Strike no es bueno aqui. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 10:27 PM Your opinion counts less than 0 with me. You keep trolling for the unions. We've got your number–about the 100th time I've read 'management…highly overpaid.' Be sure to turn the spin-cylce on ultra whirl. Sacramento reform is the only thing that will put these stooges to bed once and for all. The public's got you and your comrades number. We expect nothing more and get even less every four years. That's o.k. because your asses are going to be exempt from striking before the next four years pass. I guarantee it. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 9:58 PM I'll bet you win a lot of arguments with yourself because you don't stay current and refuse to listen to anyone but you. This was the last offer from both sides. The 1st offer from management was no pay increase with cuts in health care and other benefits, The 1st offer from the union was 23 percent. You really do need to keep up with the changes. I do not belong to either the union or management, but am a retired professional who depends on Bart to get around the Bay Area. Your anti union rants and name calling is really unproductive. Here's where they were this morning and in my opinion both sides have to compromise in order to get to a settlement. Bart workers haven't had a raise in 5 years and are asking for 15 percent over the next 3 years. That will reflect a 1.875% raise/year over the 8 year period. Bart management, who is highly overpaid, is offering 2% a year salary increases with increases in benefit costs to the employees of 4%. Also, the 2% has other conditions placed upon the offer which doesn't even guarantee that will happen. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 9:31 PM Talk about spin and 'facts.' Go off on management–that's always what union stooges do. Demanding 23%–might as well demand ownership of a public resource. I used to consider myself a labor person, but just like sausage–which I don't like–I saw the thuggery up front and in person. This is the standard formula: union bosses promise the world to rank and file so that they can keep or get the entrenched boku leadership positions that are larded with loot. Leaders go after the electeds and tell them 'we're there for you' so long as you're our puppets.' Electeds complete the cycle by caving so that they can keep their cushy positions, and that's the never-ending cycle. Who's out of the mix you ask? The public at large, which gets thrown under the tracks each and every time. No dice, baby. No dice. Need to get Sac. town to exempt BART from strikes. This is how you reform the system. BART needs to join police and fire, which can't strike. That's the only just and complete solution to having the unions pull this shit EVERY four years. Public needs to sound off to Sacramento. Won't be easy with Democrat slobs at the union troughs, but we have to start. Enough is more than enough. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 9:12 PM Do you not read other people's facts–call BART's number and check–please stay current. Bart workers haven't had a raise in 5 years and are asking for 15 percent over the next 3 years. That will reflect a 1.875% raise/year over the 8 year period. Bart management, who is highly overpaid, is offering 2% a year salary increases with increases in benefit costs to the employees of 4%. Also, the 2% has other conditions placed upon the offer which doesn't even guarantee that will happen. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 8:20 PM 23% raise–that's really a decent percentage. Just saying! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 7:51 PM Totally agree with 12:19. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 7:21 PM Anon 12:17–say something constructive , not destructive. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 7:19 PM Most economists will agree that good wages and good benefits are needed to keep our economy strong. Can't people on this blog make their points without calling people names? People need cost of living increases so they are able to pay their housing, food and other expenses which keep going up. Just saying. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 7:17 PM 11:51 is sponsored in whole by Union Thugs Local 8745. 11:57–AQUI! AQUI! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 7:03 PM Aqui! Aqui! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 7:02 PM 11:51–you are really an anti-union thug and an a__hole. Argue with facts if you can–anyone can call people names. The fact is we need people with good wages and if we drive wages down, it destroys buying power and the economy! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 6:57 PM I will push the buttons at BART for half the pay. I am currently unemployed with a BS in engineering from UC. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 6:51 PM Whores galore! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 6:35 PM Bart workers haven't had a raise in 5 years and are asking for 15 percent over the next 3 years. That will reflect a 1.875% raise/year over the 8 year period. Bart management, who is highly overpaid, is offering 2% a year salary increases with increases in benefit costs to the employees of 4%. Also, the 2% has other conditions placed upon the offer which doesn't even guarantee that will happen. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 6:35 PM Hayward school union whores are the worst. They've been spoon-fed $$$$ our tax dollars at the children's expense for decades. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 6:31 PM We have a similar union Hayward referred to as the BEAST which is the teachers union that is run by the same leadership for many many years. @10:11 am a rising tide eventually will drown everybody. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 6:27 PM These unions are nothing more than thugs, extorting terrorism against the masses. “We deserve 23% and all the extra $$$ that we can extort from you.” “F–k the masses; we care only about ourselves!” Yeah, that about sums it up. Sacramento: Get some balls and create legislation that exempts these terrorists from doing this ever again. Put them in the same group as police and fire. That will take care of this fiasco once and for all. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 5:37 PM Right on anon above! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 5:11 PM You anti-union scabs are making me laugh. The unions created the middle class in our country which spend their money in local businesses and keep the economy going. When you destroy the middle class, you destroy our economy.We need people with good jobs and benefits to avoid becoming a third world economy. A rising tide floats all boats! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 4:59 PM Off with the union whores heads, and their 'heads,' too! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 4:10 PM Strike! LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 6:32 AM While I disagree with the Mad Max Conservatives, $100,00/year to press a button every 5 minutes is rediculous. Someone pull out an actuary table of responsibilities, experience, training and work hazards then give me a fair price for their job. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 6:25 AM I have to agree with MW. The station agents are the most public face of BART and they are horrible. They usually act completely annoyed if anyone asks them for help. That is if someone asks them to do their job. You could easily replace them with someone immediately and have the new employees slowly learn the little bit of information needed to do the job. Seriously, what are the qualifications needed to be a station agent? I'm not even sure opposable thumbs are required. The train operators aren't any better. They all seem completely annoyed with the riders and do their best to avoid all contact with them. You'd think after sitting for hours watching the train drive itself they'd like a little human contact. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 5:24 AM Time to privatize. We cannot be held hostage by labor unions no more. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 4:48 AM I am also thankful our private sector employees do not have the option to apply for the pay packages that this public sector already pays, let alone the phased in 23% bump; If the board just fired the lot and opened up the jobs they would be flooded with qualified applicants who would happily work for 25% less+, and we may lose our production staff in the process – we cannot compete and sell a product for a profit. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 2:39 AM I do blame the union whores. 23%! They're beyond nuts. The only solution is to do what Perata mentioned last time around but never had the balls to do–exempt them by law from striking, just like police and fire. BART is too critical and definitely in that league to be allowed to pull this shit every four years. Yes, the unions pull this shit EVERY four years. It will take a politician with real balls to take the lead on this. Now is the time. Stand up, public, and demand that we put this four-year behemoth to bed once and for all. Unions must be shown that they can't hold the public hostage every four years. The REAL world doesn't work this way, and the private sector would never tolerate this shit for a second. Case closed. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 1:07 AM Yes, the same MTC that has spent millions of dollars and hours trying to force local cities to build stack-and-pack housing. Somewhere along the line, they forgot that they are a “transportation” agency and not social engineers. LikeLike Anonymous says: July 1, 2013 at 12:17 AM By MW: In the effort of BART's employees to gain the support of the general public as they try to get improved wages and benefits, one of the biggest problems the BART employees have is a huge public relations problem. And that is even if most BART employees are very hard working and extremely dedicated, still virtually all BART employees are totally invisible to riders. However members of the general public do regularly get to see the station agents in action, or more often in inaction, and there are few creatures on earth more useless, crabbier, and lazier than the typical BART station agent. In fact, even most of the security guards in the typical commercial office building, and even in the situations where the security guards are being paid only minimum wage, are much friendlier, more helpful, and much better informed than the typical BART station agent. In fact, most of the station agents do not seem to have much function other than acting crabby and responding to virtually all questions by screaming for you to look at the board or the schedule. In other words even most ten year old children, and who we could pay minimum wage and would not have to pay a pension, nor vacation and sick leave, nor medical benefits, could do a much better job than the typical BART station agent does at assisting the public and answering questions. 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