SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The union that represents the operators of San Francisco’s buses, light rail, street cars and cable cars overwhelmingly rejected a new labor contract before many of them called in sick Monday.

The 2,200 operators represented by Transport Workers Union Local 250-A overwhelmingly rejected the contract Friday, according to totals on the union’s website Monday. Only 42 of about 1,200 votes were in favor.

The workers aren’t allowed to go on strike, but many started the workweek by calling in sick. That led to long delays and long lines for many of the 700,000 passengers who use the MUNI system each day.

The contract that was rejected would have given MUNI workers a raise of more than 11 percent over two years, but they would have to contribute 7.5 percent of their salary toward their pension.

Calls and emails to union officials Monday were not immediately returned.

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