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Bay Area Rapid Transit Board President Willie Kennedy announced July 30 that the agency has requested Gov. Gray Davis call for a 60-day cooling off period from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3993 in order to remove continued strike threats.



Gov. Davis July 1 initiated a similar cooling-off period with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, representing more than 800 train operators and station agents, and Service Employees International Local 790, representing more than 1,700 maintenance, professional and clerical employees. AFSCME represents 271 supervisory and professional personnel, but was not included in Gov. Davis’ initial mandate.



"AFSCME’s continued posture threatening to strike has prevented any meaningful negotiations between AFSCME and the district, has been disruptive to negotiations with the other unions and puts the riding public at risk," said Kennedy in a prepared statement.



BART plans to continue bargaining discussions.