Governor Brown may intervene, postponing AC Transit strike
on October 15, 2013
Governor Jerry Brown is weighing a request by AC Transit management for a 60-day cooling off period in the planned strike by the bus line’s workers, which otherwise could happen as early as this Thursday.
“The request is being considered,” said Evan Westrup, Brown’s press secretary. If the strike did move forward, it would only add to transportation concerns for Bay Area residents, who also face a possible BART strike this week.
AC Transit spokesperson Clarence Johnson confirmed that management and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192 had been in negotiations for a new contract. The union rejected one possible contract on October 2 and then issued a 72-hour notice to strike starting on Thursday, October 17. Union officials couldn’t be reached for comment.
While Governor Brown cannot through his own power require a 60-day cooling off period, he can appoint an investigative board to examine the labor dispute for seven days. Workers would be banned from striking during that time. Based on the results of the investigation, the Governor could then petition a court to impose a 60-day cooling-off period.
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