Gov. Jerry Brown helps avert BART strike in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- Governor Jerry Brown has averted a strike of San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit system, promising riders a normal commute Monday morning.

Late Sunday night Brown issued an order for a seven-day inquiry into the contract dispute that threatened to shut down one of the region's major train lines.

The transit system has been at odds with two unions over a new contract. The unions issued a 72-hour strike notice early Friday that would have fouled Monday's commute.

BART, the nation's fifth-largest rail system, serves more than 400,000 commuters each weekday.

The unions went on strike last month, shutting down BART service for four days. They later agreed to extend their contracts until Sunday and continue negotiations.

Key sticking points in the labor dispute included pensions and health care costs.

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