BART issues statement on availability of lead negotiator

With regard to lead negotiator Tom Hocks's availability BART spokesperson Rick Rice said, "Mr. Hock is here today. He will be here tomorrow as previously scheduled and also next Monday and Tuesday and the rest of next week if the mediator deems it necessary to meet. At the time the mediators suggested the 30-day extension and return to work Mr. Hock informed them that he had other commitments from July 24 to July 28 and would be unavailable. The mediators agreed that this still left ample time to negotiate a contract."