Three of the unions in negotiations for new contracts with BART have formally requested the participation of the California Mediation and Conciliation Service in order to facilitate talks. "We think the public would be better served if we had the assistance of a state mediator," says Jesse Hunt, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents train operators, station agents and other front line BART workers. "It's clear to us that BART executives have decided to negotiate this contract in the media rather than at the negotiating table. For example, BART's response to our legitimate proposal for restructuring workers' salaries and benefits to save $40 million was leaked to the press twenty-four hours before it was considered at the table -- then reported to the media solely as a request for a raise."