“Actually, we do have that information available that can come out of the system,” he said. “It’s just data in the system; there should be no reason we shouldn’t get that for you.”
Biemeret said it was a surprise to hear that, since her staff had worked extensively to obtain the data, but were told it was inaccessible.
The report recommended several reforms, including stronger data collection, tighter overtime approval controls and better anti-fraud tools.
Although the audit did not uncover fraud, Biemeret said BART’s current data collection system was not robust enough to detect inconsistencies or red flags.
During public comment, SEIU 1021 President John Arantes, who represents 1,700 BART employees, blasted the report as “totally slanderous” to workers.
“If you gave us enough [of a] raise to live in the Bay Area, we [would] not need to work overtime,” he said. “We are not slaves or indentured servants. We have rights. We work overtime, and you shall pay us for the work that we do.”
Biemeret and board members stressed the audit was not to determine whether overtime should be allowed or paid, but rather to help BART manage costs.
The board instructed staff to begin implementing some recommendations while the inspector general’s office continues its review.
