BART Talks 'Productive' While Strike Deadline Looms

Contract talks between BART and union officials will resume Sunday as the deadline for a potential strike approaches, according to a BART spokesman.

Union leaders and BART officials will return at 9:30 a.m., BART spokesman Rick Rice said.

"It was a productive day, but we're not discussing any details," Rice said.

Negotiators are working to forestall a threatened strike that could start at midnight Monday.

BART management began negotiating on April 1 with the Service Employees International Union Local 1021, which represents 1,430 mechanics, custodians and clerical workers, and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents 945 station agents, train operators and clerical workers.

Workers went on strike for four and a half days at the beginning of July but returned to the bargaining table at the request of Gov. Jerry Brown.

When a strike again seemed imminent, Brown sought a 60-day cooling-off period, which expired this week.

The unions announced late Thursday night that they would postpone a potential strike, but issued a 72-hour strike notice.

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