VTA submits legal complaints about the presumed breach of contract of the Union

VTA submitted a legal complaint against his striking workers and claims that it is a breach of contract.

VTA said in a press release on Tuesday that the goal of the complaint was to end the strike and to restore normal VTA bus and light rail services that were stopped after the strike began. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 kicked on Monday after six months of contract negotiations with VTA were shut down on the table without a deal. The union represents more than 1,500 front workers, including bus drivers and light rail operators.

“This strike has an overwhelming influence on the community, and we are working on all efforts to support our drivers to get the school, medical appointments and events,” said VTA -General Manager Carolyn Gonot in a statement. “It is essential to get our buses and trains rolling.”

ATU LOCAL 265 President Raj Singh said that the complaint was “absurd” because VTA’s claims are based on the contract that expired on March 3.

He said VTA told the union that they had intended to submit the complaint on Monday afternoon and asked why they had been waiting when the VTA union informed about their intention to strike three days in advance.

“In a way, we are happy, because hopefully this gives the public clarity, but at the same time we are disappointed that VTA has decided to pull this out even further,” Singh told San José Spotlight. “I know that they ran back with the narrative that the union will go away from the table, but hopefully this will throw a light about who does what.”

Singh said the morale was very high on the line of strike and the strike continues, while the union’s lawyers are working on submitting an answer. When a judge granted an injunction, Singh confirmed that the strike would be stopped, but added that he did not expect this.

Sergio Lopez, President of the VTA board and Mayor Campbell, said that the public transit agency had submitted an injunction to ensure the legality of the strike. Although he is not in the city for a family emergency, he said that he continues to keep the trade union and VTA leader and work on finding a solution.

“ATU has a legally protected strike right, so that is not questioned here,” Lopez told San José Spotlight. “I focus on ensuring that all sides are at the table and if the board can take measures to ensure that this can happen in a reasonable and timely manner.”

The VTA doubled over the next three years with the last proposed wage increase of 9% and rose from 4% to 3% to 2%. The union has asked for increases over three years after 6%, a total of 18%, and is looking for a conflict resolution process that would enable employees to submit their complaints to a neutral third party and not to go to court. In a press release from ATU LOCAL 265, 95% of the union members voted on the deal.

ATU LOCAL 265 President Raj Singh previously said in San José that the increases are necessary to keep up with the increasing living costs of the Silicon Valley. He said the workers were ready to stay on the strike until a deal is reached.

History updated on March 11th at 2:06 p.m. Original story published on March 11th at 1:21 p.m.

Contact B. Sakura Cannestra at (E -mail protected) or @Sakucannestra On X.