FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2013
CONTACT: Peter DeMarco @ 916-651-4029
Senate Republican Leader Proposes Statewide Ban on Public Transit Strikes
Recent BART Strike Shows Public Safety, Economic Risks
San Francisco – Calling it an essential public service that must be protected, Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) said today that it is time for the California Legislature to prohibit strikes against public transit systems in California. Senator Huff proposed the idea during an interview with Ronn Owens on KGO radio in San Francisco.
“If we’re going to make the people of California reliant on public transit systems, then we also have an obligation to make sure those systems can be relied on,” said Huff. “Shutting down public transit is neither safe nor fair,” said Huff. “Police officers and fire fighters aren’t allowed to strike because they provide a vital public service. The same reason applies here. Public transit is a vital public service and it’s too important to be used as a bargaining chip against the needs of the people.” Continue reading