If there is a furlough, er, strike how long would it be for?

The Managers not in a union get paid whether or not BART runs.. So if the union employees strike, they are out of work. But the managers not union will still get paid. BART plays hardball because they hold the cards, not the other way around.. There are still some people that believe the unions are to blame.
In a strike, Incoming tax money still rolls in, management gets their paycheck. Money is saved due to no wear and tear, saving on power, they don't have to pay employees, and on and on. The fare that we pay doesn't really contribute the majority of BART money.

Really, the only ones screwed are the public since trains won't run and traffic will be horrible and the employees and their families.

Any labour action by BART employees will be anywhere from 3 to 6 days into July 2009. First, get that holiday pay under the belt and more importantly, insure that health coverage for the month is covered. Realistically, in my opinion, the employees will not strike (although probably having a sanction to do so), and the Governor will intervene regardless and implement the 60 day cooling off period. Both sides will demonstrate "they mean business" - but at the end, especially under this economic climate, they'll come to some realistic terms. Proposals are being tossed back and forth across the table. Anything the press reports is pur posturing by one side or the other.