Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Transit Strike Ban Pushed by Republicans and Democratic Candidate

AC transit buses will keep rolling, at least for now. Governor Jerry Brown has approved a request by AC management to start the process that could lead to a 60-day cooling off period. The union representing bus operators had threatened to go on strike Thursday. Brown has ordered an investigation, during which workers are barred from striking. After the investigation, Brown can call for a 60-day cooling-off period, like the one he called to prevent a BART strike in August. Meanwhile, AC transit management and unions have gone back to the bargaining table. BART workers and management are also in negotiations. Some Repubican lawmakers, as well as an east bay Democrat, are calling for legislation to ban transit strikes altogether. Christopher Martinez reports.