Possible breakthrough in BART negotiations

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=6940180

By Terry McSweeney

OAKLAND, CA (KGO) -- At midnight tonight, BART's latest deadline for contract talks with its unions will expire. However, as the clock ticks down, there's word that both sides are optimistic they'll come to a deal.

At midnight tonight, BART's latest deadline for contract talks with its unions will expire. However, as the clock ticks down, there's word that both sides are optimistic they'll come to a deal.
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BART's board of directors will meet at 3:30 this afternoon to discuss the possibility of imposing a contract on workers. If they do that, unions may go on strike -- possibly as early as Friday morning, but it appears that may not be necessary.

BART's largest union, Service Employees International Union, says they are close to agreeing on a deal. But they say it will include "drastic changes" to employee benefits and work rules.

BART is asking for $100 million in savings from the unions to help close a $310 million, four year deficit.

The negotiators say they are open-minded.

"Some of the work rules are old, without a doubt; they're 15, 20 years old and some of them are still in place and they're not efficient," SEIU chief negotiator Larry Gerber said.

The BART board meeting is expected have intense negotiations and last late into the night.

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