No AC Transit Strike As Contract Agreement Is Reached

A tentative contract agreement has been reached in the AC Transit labor talks, averting a threatened strike by bus drivers on Wednesday.

Negotiators for the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 192, which represents 1,625 mechanics and bus operators, said the new contract provides a 9.5 percent raise for workers over the next three years.

The employees will also start contributing to their medical insurance premiums. Union leaders also said health and safety concerns have been addressed.

"This agreement protects workers, helps riders and keep service running," said union local president Yvonne Williams.

The agreement is expected to go to a ratification vote by members later this month.

Union workers had issued a strike notice to the transit agency on Monday, saying they would walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday if they didn't have a contract.

The workers' contract expired on July 1, but they agreed to keep working while negotiations continued through July and early August.

More than 180,000 people ride AC Transit buses on an average workday. That's up 6 percent from a year ago.

Meanwhile, an inquiry board appointed by the governor will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the BART labor talks and the threatened strike by workers at that agency.

Gov. Jerry Brown appointed the board just hours before BART workers were scheduled to go on strike on Sunday evening.

A seven-day cooling off period will expire next Sunday evening. After the inquiry issues its findings, the governor will decide whether to extend that cooling-off period.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.