State lawmakers expressed concern over contract negotiations between BART and its labor unions in a letter postmarked Monday.

Before union and BART officials agreed Friday evening to extend contract negotiations to July 9, lawmakers signed the letter that supported an extension and encouraged BART officials to "bargain in good faith."

In the negotiations, BART is looking to balance part of its four-year $250 million deficit by cutting $100 million in labor costs including employee benefits and pensions.

Assemblymember Sandre Swanson, D-Alameda, who co-signed the letter sent to BART General Manager Dorothy Dugger, said in statement that the negotiations are a vital issue that should be resolved quickly and equitably.

"The letter was important because of the deepening economic crisis we face," she said.

Amalgamated Transit Union President Jesse Hunt said in a statement that the letter has been well received by the members of the union.

"Workers are pleased that 15 prominent state legislators have urged BART executives to pursue a give-and-take approach to help resolve negotiations," he said.

But BART Director Bob Franklin said he does not see how the legislators' letter could affect the contract negotiations.

"The legislators want the same thing that BART wants: a successful resolution to this contract dispute," Franklin said.

The letter was meant to encourage BART and union officials to continue to negotiate amicably, said State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, a co-signer of the letter.

"I don't want to get in the middle of the negotiations," he said. "It's just to encourage them to bargain."

Franklin said that significant progress has been made during the negotiations and that he would like a contract to be finalized by the July 9 deadline.

The extended negotiations cost BART $70,000 per day, said BART spokesperson Linton Johnson.

There are several options if the contract disagreement remains unresolved by the end of the extension, including a 60-day "cooling-off period," Franklin said.

Union officials could request that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger allow the timeout in negotiations, he said, but BART management would not file the request.

Franklin said a deadlock could lead to a worker strike, which would affect the system's 350,000 daily commuters.

However, union leaders said they would continue to negotiate without strikes should talks extend past the deadline.

The unions are required to give a 72-hour notice before a strike takes place.

Unless the extended negotiation reaches a deadlock before July 9, the earliest date that a strike could happen is July 13 at midnight, Franklin said.

The system's fare increases, aimed at offsetting about 30 percent of the deficit, also took effect Wednesday. Fares rose an average of 6.1 percent.

Tags: BART UNION NEGOTIATIONS