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The union representing Santa Clara County bus drivers and light rail operators has approved the latest contract proposal from VTA after months of negotiations and a 17-day strike that stopped transit service.
Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, which represents more than 1,500 frontline VTA workers, voted 70.5% to approve the proposed contract, with 978 votes cast. The proposal includes a 14.5% wage increase over four years, improved dental benefits and updated workplace policies.
The VTA Board of Directors then voted to approve it Thursday, and the contract will take effect on Monday.
ATU Local 265 has been negotiating its contract with VTA since August 2024. Workers went on strike from March 10 to March 27, stopping bus and light rail services countywide. A county judge demanded striking union members return to work and approved the transit agency’s breach of contract lawsuit.
Raj Singh, president of ATU Local 265, said he isn’t surprised by the approval.
“The sense that we got was because of the amount of time it took to get to this point, some folks were just either frustrated or they were just tired and wanted to move on,” Singh told San Jose Spotlight.
He said he wants the public transit agency to address issues brought up during negotiations, pointing to the portion of union members who voted to turn down the contract. If the contract is approved by the board, he said the union will move on from negotiations and work on other concerns, such as improving operator safety and employee mental health.
VTA assistant general manager Greg Richardson said getting the contract approved will allow the transit agency to better manage its budget as sales tax revenues sink and it plans for future deficits.
“The structure of the contract allows VTA to manage labor costs predictably over the next four years, supporting our long term financial sustainability,” Richardson said at a news conference.
VTA Board Chair and Campbell Mayor Sergio Lopez said on Tuesday he anticipated that his board colleagues would approve ATU Local 265’s contract, adding that he was looking forward to finishing the process.
Lopez called the contract a “fair agreement” with good wages and working conditions for ATU members. He said its approval will benefit riders and workers alike.
“What this process has shown is also the work that remains ahead for this agency and for workers,” Lopez said. “My commitment as board chair is that I will work every day to make sure that VTA is a great place to work, that we continue to improve, and that we’re always working toward our north star of serving our riders and the public and Santa Clara (County) residents with the service they deserve.”
— Story by B. Sakura Cannestra, San Jose Spotlight. This article also incorporates Bay City News Service reporting on the VTA board vote.
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