The VTA board of directors Sunday approved a revised offer in an effort to get striking workers off the picket line and back on the job. Union representatives are saying not so fast because it rolls back previous agreements.
The updated offer includes a wage increase and mutually agreed updates to the conflict resolution process, but introduces changes to previously untouched parts of the contract. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, which represents about 1,500 frontline VTA workers, has been on strike since March 10, stopping bus and light rail services across Silicon Valley.
"This proposal represents a fair deal to workers, but I also want to be clear that it comes at a cost and VTA will have to carefully work within our limits to protect service to our customers," VTA Board Chair and Campbell Mayor Sergio Lopez said.
The strike has left tens of thousands of riders scrambling to find alternative transportation, such as walking for miles or paying for ride-shares such as Uber and Lyft.
The offer includes a 11% raise over the next three years, going up 4%, another 4% and 3%. It includes updates to the conflict resolution process for workers filing a grievance, before going to a neutral third party. But it also introduces other contract changes, such as reducing overtime.
The board approved the new terms in a special meeting. Lopez said at a news conference that the 11% wage increase will stretch the transit agency's already thin budget, but represents VTA's commitment to getting service back up and running for riders. VTA General Manager Carolyn Gonot said the newly introduced changes will help the agency cut costs to meet the wage increases.
ATU Local 265 President Raj Singh said the offer is a step back from where negotiations were earlier in the week. Any new terms have to be negotiated, so introducing new terms in an offer only delays the workers' return.
Singh said he wanted an agreement with VTA to not discipline striking employees once back on the job. While striking is a legally protected right, he said an agreement would reassure union members, especially because VTA filed a legal complaint claiming a breach of contract.
The union may vote on the new offer Tuesday, but Singh said he expects union members won't approve it and the strike will likely continue.
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"It's already been a significant hardship financially for the members but … the public as well right," Singh told San Jose Spotlight. "It's the third week that there's been no service out there. I know there's people hurting and struggling already, and apparently to the agency, none of that matters."
This story originally appeared in San Jose Spotlight.
