BART strike brings visible face to declining conditions for workers
by Brian Leubitz
The BART strike was certainly preventable, but it was equally certainly no surprise. Following a long line of government employees facing pay cuts and furloughs, BART workers have the strongest weapon: a transit strike that makes the public sit up and notice. And unfortunately, that has happened:
The final trains of the Sunday shift will finish up their runs. But there will be no service Monday, with the transit system’s workers and management agreeing only on the fact that the two sides remain far apart in contract negotiations. Instead of reporting to work, BART union employees will carry picket signs and distribute leaflets at most stations. (SF Chronicle)
KQED Forum had an interesting program on the strike this morning, and the number of vociferous anti-union comments were somewhat surprisng. Now, you have to discount for the fact that conservatives always dominate this kind of program, but the angst is real.
For years, workers have been getting the raw deal. But this is universal, both public and private sector workers have seen wages stagnate while productivity is driven to higher and higher levels. However, for whatever reason, labor gets the negative press at every negotiation. The saying goes that workers should be happy to just have a job at all.
However, while the stock market rises and the wealthy grab an ever increasing level of income, how much longer can we continue to think this way? A rising tide, and a more equitable distribution of income is sure to yield better results for economy. But, the rich have the larger megaphones, and so labor frequently gets drowned out. But unless more income trickles down to the middle class, our economy will face some very serious challenges and questions of long-term sustainability.
There will be recriminations in both directions with this strike. And while there may be some uncomfortable moments, we cannot let the media create a false equivalence. We need to stand with BART workers, for worker safety and for living wages for all Californians. But BART workers aren’t the only ones on fighting for fair treatment of workers: AFSCME 3299 workers are fighting the UC system for good patient care and living wages for low-wage workers. Click here to get more information about their actions.
It’s hard to beleive that BART employees are getting a ‘RAW DEAL’
‘…BART workers who are asking for raises in contract negotiations with the transit district are among the highest-paid transit workers in the Bay Area and the nation, according to transit officials…’
That’s a different view of their salaries
Certainly, they haven;t gotten raises lately
WHO HAS ??
$54,000 to start, for s Station Agent isn’t a Raw Deal
Train Operator: $120,122 including overtime
Customer Service: $110,958 including overtime
Much more than most of us make
I looked at the salary database for BART workers (link below) and it seems that of the 3450 workers there, about 2/3rds make over $100k (total compensation). I think that workers in the private sector have been getting a raw deal, but not the public sector. Public employee unions finance the Democratic Party and without them we might have more Republicans–for that I am grateful–but it doesn’t mean that I buy everything they say.
Their salary and benefits are substantial. The cry that unions, salary, and benefits in general are falling while the plutocrats line their pockets with gold is correct, but giving Bart workers more while putting people through huge inconvenience will not improve the lot of workers in general. This strike is a huge mistake.
They’ll make peace eventually, and you’ll be able to use that world-class system that was installed and paid for with foresight.
Much better than down here in Tierra d’La La.
As for the pay, the real problem is that so many of the rest of us do not get a fair deal, or even close. (Boycott Wal-Mart!)
I have supported unions all of my life, but I think the BART union is out of touch with reality.
21% salary increases over 4 years, plus more depending on ridership? Salaries are already high and no one in today’s world gets that.
And where else can one get a job with a pension without even an individual contribution? I only have a 401K, and it all comes from me. The union proposes a one-half of one percent contribution. That is just out of touch. Even the average public employee in California contributes 7%.
The overreaching and out-of-touch demands do a disservice to the public and to the public’s long term support for unions.