BART's unions ask Gov. Brown to stay the strike

BART's union leaders on Friday morning asked Gov. Jerry Brown to use his powers and issue a 60-day cooling off period, possibly delaying a threatened strike for another two months, according to the San Jose Mercury News.  

Here's what you need to know about the ongoing clash between BART's employee union and management so far: 

• BART employees, who are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 and Service Employees International Union Local 1021, gave word Thursday night if a new contract is not approved, that they could walk out at 11:59 p.m. Sunday when their current contracts expire, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
• However, Friday morning the unions asked the governor to declare a 60-day "cooling off-period" and give time for more negotiations. Management is not crazy about this idea, saying a July strike would affect fewer people than a strike in September, according to the Mercury News.
• On its website, BART officials recommend affected commuters telecommute; adjust their work hours to avoid peak drive time; join a carpool; take a less-traveled route to work; hop on a bus or ferry; or take one of the charter buses that BART is expected to provide in case of a strike.
• BART's 400,000 daily riders are freaking out over the idea of not having service next week, according to this Huffington Post story. 
• Are you looking for, or can you provide, a carpool? Check out Patch's map of casual carpool locations around the East Bay.