Assemblywoman Catharine Baker -- who represents Alamo, Danville and San Ramon -- has introduced her first bill in the Assembly legislation that aims to prevent future BART strikes.
According to Baker, both 2013 BART strikes exposed a loophole in current law that allowed BART workers to strike.
Assembly Bill 528 would prohibit BART employees from engaging in a strike work work stoppage after the contract has expired if the transit district board maintains the compensation and benefit provisions of an expired contract, and an employee or employee organization has agreed to a provision prohibiting strikes in the expired contract.
During the most recent strikes, when the contract expired, workers went on strike even though management had honored the expired contract by paying benefits and wages during contract negotiations.
"This bill prevents that lopsided outcome by providing that if the transit district honors its part of the expired contract, employees must do the same and honor the no-strike clause," said Baker. "Workers can't cherry pick what parts of the contract they will honor."
Baker said the bill is a different and unique approach to preventing future BART strikes -- it's fair to workers, riders and the general public that relies on the mass transit system.
"After only a few months on the job, assembly member Catharine Baker has begun to fulfill her commitment to all East Bay BART riders," said vice-mayor Karla Brown with the City of Pleasanton. "Ms. Baker is an elected official that follows through on her promises -- how refreshing.
Comments
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 6:59 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 6:59 am
Thank you, Catherine. If the public is to get out of their cars and use public transportation, the public has to be able to rely on that transportation.
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 8:05 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 8:05 am
And this is just one of the reasons she received my vote. Go get'm Catherine!
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 9:06 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 9:06 am
Finally, someone with a brain in their head! Way to go Catherine!
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 9:10 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 9:10 am
SO PLEASED! This kind of LEADERSHIP is just what we need in Sacramento. What a novel idea---LEADERSHIP!! Thank you, Catharine Baker! For once, an assemblyperson is representing THE PEOPLE and not SPECIAL INTERESTS!
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 9:25 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 9:25 am
Thank you. Though I do not have to use it for commuting to work, I really felt bad for all the people it did effect, making their commute a nightmare.
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:05 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:05 am
Excellent job Ms. Baker!! Finally an elected representative who has common sense and is looking out for her constituents instead of getting cozy with union interests.
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:29 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:29 am
Where are all the negative and alarmist comments from the liberal-minded and union-interested parties?
You know that those interest groups are still out there.
Planning things behind the scenes, no doubt!
Alamo
on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:39 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:39 am
PSMacintosh - since you're salivating for a fight where you have no intention of learning anything or coming to any kind of understanding, why not just cut to the chase and go shout at cars, or attempt to debate a gorilla at the SF Zoo. The weather is great out in the Sunset this week!
Alamo
on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:44 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 10:44 am
That said:
CONGRATS to this BOLD leader for taking on a union full of blue collar and minority workers! There's literally ZERO other loopholes being exploited by unions or corporations that are hurting California residents in any other way! She found the only one! And she's taking care of it! What a VISIONARY LEADER!!!! WE DID IT DANVILLE!!!! WE DID IT!!!!
BOLD! BEAUTIFUL! BRAVE!!!!!! BRAVO!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!! ZAP!!! POW!!! BAKER FOR PRESIDENT!!!
Alamo
on Feb 25, 2015 at 11:02 am
on Feb 25, 2015 at 11:02 am
Great move Ms. Baker. I voted for you and I am proud I did.
As I read all the comments I see a lot of wishful and naive dreamers.
Ms. Baker I truly respect what you are trying to do...It would great if that ever happened.
I say this with all due respect...Ms. Baker you are living in FANTASY-LAND. Just wait until the crazy Demo's in Sacramento see what you are thinking of doing. Get ready to be eaten alive.
It's a great move, but my dear friend you won't even get to first base.
Good luck on other bold moves you may want to try. But allow me...don't try and mess with the powerhouses (UNIONS). They are animals.
Just my opinion...Thank you listening, Julia Pardini from Alamo
AGAIN, MS. BAKER...GOOD LUCK WITH ALL OTHER BOLD AND PROGRESSIVE MOVES TO HELP WE THE PEOPLE.
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 1:44 pm
on Feb 25, 2015 at 1:44 pm
"Funbagz": It is sad when people like you attempt to play the "race card" in issues where race has absolutely nothing to do with it. Ms. Baker was elected by her constituents to do what is best for their interest, and the BART strike had a devastating affect on her constituents in essentially shutting down travel in the east bay and bay areas. People were either unable to get to work, or spent endless hours tied up in traffic, which affected people of all races and colors, and affected all businesses whether small sole proprietors, or large corporations. People of all races, nationality, and income groups were adversely affected by the BART strike.
Your nonsensical attempt to suggest Ms. Baker did this because some of the BART workers were minorities and blue collar workers is ridiculous. Have you ever been on BART? Do you have any idea how many minority riders and blue collar riders of BART were unable to get to work because of this strike? Stopping BART strikes helps people of all races and incomes.
Alamo
on Feb 25, 2015 at 6:14 pm
on Feb 25, 2015 at 6:14 pm
RACE CARD...Hey America if you are addressing me...then you are crazier than crazy. But I doubt you are speaking to me.
I can not understand where on this great Earth you are coming from.
Good bye and good lucky with your brain thoughts
Julia Pardini from sane Alamo
Danville
on Feb 25, 2015 at 6:26 pm
on Feb 25, 2015 at 6:26 pm
Ditto American.....way to go Ms Baker. And I am looking forward to voting for Glazer. He is the one who took it on first.
San Ramon
on Feb 25, 2015 at 6:31 pm
on Feb 25, 2015 at 6:31 pm
Nice going Ms Baker. We can only hope you'll be successful, but I have serious doubts. I agree with Julia. Just wait til the Unions contact their reps - who they OWN - and the bill is DOA, if it ever gets to a vote. I hate to have to feel and think this way, but such is politics in Sacramento.
Danville
on Feb 26, 2015 at 6:55 am
on Feb 26, 2015 at 6:55 am
If American wants to pull out the race card, he/she needs to realize those hurt most by the BART strike are minorities who rely on public transportation. You can't work from home when you bus tables or clean hotel room. These hourly workers don't have the generous salary and benefits the BART workers have.
Danville
on Feb 26, 2015 at 3:12 pm
on Feb 26, 2015 at 3:12 pm
It was Funbagz, not American, who raised the race card.
LMP,
You just said what American said--that "those hurt most by the BART strike are minorities who rely on public transportation."
Danville
on Feb 27, 2015 at 6:38 am
on Feb 27, 2015 at 6:38 am
Sorry, American. Thanks for the correction, Mac.
Danville
on Feb 27, 2015 at 4:26 pm
on Feb 27, 2015 at 4:26 pm
There is still some common sense left in some of our leaders and we shall see how far Catharine Baker gets in Sacramento with a Democrat majority and a pro-union governor in office. It will be an uphill battle. Let's hope they listen to what the working and taxpaying public wants and that is a safe and fast way to get to work without threat of strikes every time BART workers want a raise or an increase in their health benefits. Way to go Catharine Baker!
Walnut Creek
on Feb 28, 2015 at 1:34 pm
on Feb 28, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Whew -- I just got back from my clandestine conspiracy session among a liberal-minded cabal of riding-dog barties, and do we have some surprises for you!
Actually, we don't -- but I do wonder why the knee-jerk hostility toward the BART unions. The service runs pretty well and efficiently, when compared to other major commuter rail networks -- and efficiency means all your arguments about who's overpaid are way overblown.
Strikes are inconvenient, very temporarily, but very rare -- all kinds of other emergencies can screw up your commute, and they are a Lot more frequent. I do not begrudge those workers their rights to organize and bargain -- and strike if necessary to grieve an unfair labor practice, or roll the dice in an economic context.
San Ramon
on Mar 2, 2015 at 7:09 am
on Mar 2, 2015 at 7:09 am
No one moves in any direction without the FIRST step!!!
Perhaps Baker's move will incite other less future thinking, so-called politicos, may follow and help in this to be sure, future pending transportation crisis.
Registered user
San Ramon
on Mar 2, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Registered user
on Mar 2, 2015 at 1:44 pm
I support Assembly Woman Baker's bill and supported her election, but the reality is, and I hate to pour reality on all of you happy campers, there already is a No Strike clause in the BART Union contract.
The loophole Baker is trying to close covers only periods during contract negotiations. Since the Unions negotiated a four year contract in 2013, the renewal won't come up for another two years. That should give Baker and Spitzer, if elected and I hope he is, plenty of time to work this through the Assembly and Senate before the next negotiation period starts at the end of 2017.