Muni sick-out could affect Monday commute

Muni riders should prepare for the possibility of a longer commute on Monday.

SFBay checked in with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency spokesman Paul Rose on the possibility of a Muni driver sick-out beginning tomorrow morning.

Rose told SFBay Sunday evening that the transit agency is monitoring service and attendance patterns because of the rumors potential of a sick-out by operators:

“While it appears the majority of our transit operators will be on the job tomorrow, early attendance reports indicate that service could be impacted. We will be working through the night and morning to balance service the best we can across the city.”

Rose also told KTVU that the transit agency is trying to fill as many runs that they know ahead of time that will not have drivers for Monday

Reports from SF Weekly and The San Francisco Chronicle of a rumored sick-out is part of the transit operators frustration over a new proposed labor contract.

Muni operators began voting on the proposed contract last Friday, which included a $11.25 11.25 percent pay raise over the next two years.

They would now be making close to $32 starting July 1 — making them the second-highest paid transit operators in the country, the transit agency said.

The contract also included for drivers to contribute 7.5 percent to their pension previously picked up by the SFMTA.

Transport Workers Union Local 250-A officials have been in negotiations with the SFMTA for months. Union President Eric Williams wrote on the union’s website last week calling the proposed labor contract unfair:

“We entered into negotiations with the full intent to receive a fair and equitable contract for our members and their families; unfortunately, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency had a different premise on negotiating fairly. The city devalued our service as they proposed unreasonable take aways in wages and benefits.”

Union members began voting last Friday from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rose said the transit agency has not yet heard back on the results.

Under Proposition G, a 2010 voter-approved mandate, the contract would go before an arbitrator if transit operators vote the proposed contract down.

Stay with SFBay for the latest on your commute Monday morning and results of the labor contract.