SAN JOSE — Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority workers are set to walk off the job next week, according to the agency.
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VTA commuters urged to make backup plans as possible strike looms
On Thursday, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 notified the VTA Board of Directors that the strike will begin on or after March 10, at 12:01 a.m., the VTA said in a news release.
Bus and rail service may not be available starting Monday and some routes may be interrupted if they are normally scheduled to run past midnight, according to the agency.
Paratransit service, however, will continue regular operations, the VTA said.
“VTA is extremely disappointed that ATU is leaving the communities of Silicon Valley stranded without much-needed bus and light rail service,” VTA Deputy General Manager Greg Richardson said in a statement.
Earlier this week, with a potential strike looming, the VTA suggested commuters consider alternative travel methods, such as carpooling, ridesharing, bicycling and walking.
The agency said it offered a wage increase of 9% over three years, keeping operators as the second highest paid in the Bay Area and the fifth highest paid in the country.
“We value our employees and have made a fair and reasonable offer,” Richardson said. “While VTA has tried to reach an agreement, through conversations as late as this afternoon, there has been no progress. We need the union to return to the bargaining table.”
ATU Local 265 members voted in mid-February to authorize a strike. The union represents more than 1,500 workers, including bus drivers, light rail operators and dispatchers.
In a statement last week, the union expressed frustration at an earlier offer, which called for a 1% wage increase per year for three years, and accused the VTA of not delivering on promises to improve workplace conditions after a mass shooting on May 26, 2021.
A union spokesperson did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the contract talks.
Check back for updates.
