On Monday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Muni employees losing their free parking privileges that came in the form of free lots, reserved spaces and placards that prevented parking tickets. This comes after drivers rejected $19 million in concessions that the city negotiated with their union.
Starting in December, workers will have to pay $80 a month for parking, which equates to $960 a year. The cost for parking will use up about a third of the Muni drivers 5.75 percent raise. Parking fees from Muni workers are expected to bring back $3.5 million into the agency.
Tony Winnicker, a spokesman for Mayor Gavin Newson, told the Chronicle: "They had two opportunities to help out voluntarily, but chose to take a pay increase instead. Now they are getting the opportunity to help out involuntarily."
As well as paying for parking, drivers have to give up “standby” pay and nine union reps will have to resume their jobs as drivers.
