Muni Operators Vote to Authorize Strike -- City Threatens to Sue

Negotiations are as spotty as Muni service ...

​It wouldn't feel right at this point if negotiations between Muni and its operators went smoothly. And it appears even the drivers are prepping for the worst -- the union has voted in favor of a strike should negotiations break down.

A preliminary vote like this seems to be the first indication that negotiations are indeed breaking down. Local 250-A, which represents Muni operators, had began voting on a possible strike earlier this week, claiming that Muni has enough money -- their pensions and their salaries are not the problem.

That's debatable. What isn't up for debate is the fact that a strike would be illegal.
City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who is running for San Francisco mayor, noted that a strike would violate the current labor agreement, and if Muni operators decided to walk off the job, he will sue.

"If it appears a threatened or actual strike will significantly disrupt public transportation and endanger the public welfare, we will take appropriate legal recourse," Herrera said in a statement posted on his Web site today.

But according to Walter Scott, secretary for the transit union, the "no-strike clause" is open for interpretation, the SF Appeal reports.

"It's never been tested," he said.

Stay tuned to see who gets thrown under the bus this time.

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