SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is going to court in an effort to end a strike by more than 1,500 of its workers.
Public broadcaster KQED reports the VTA has filed a complaint in Santa Clara County Superior Court alleging the strike is a breach of contract and an act of bad faith. The filing says the walkout “has created substantial uncertainty for VTA’s tens of thousands of daily riders and other members of the public who rely on VTA.”
The agency, dealing with the first strike in its 30-year history, is asking for a temporary restraining order that would require members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 to return to work. The union, which represents light rail and bus operators, maintenance workers, and others, went on strike at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 10.
The VTA is offering raises of 4%, 3%, and 2% during a three-year contract; the union is seeking 6% per year.
“VTA recognizes that ATU employees have the right to strike so long as they comply with the law and the collective bargaining agreement,” the agency said in a statement. “However, ATU has failed to meet those requirements prior to initiating their strike.”
KNTV reports the VTA complaint says that there is a no-strike provision that says the prior contract remains in effect during negotiations, while ATU local president Raj Singh says the contract expired March 3. “I don’t really understand how the agency is now going to take a position that the contract is not expired,” he told the station.
While both sides say they are willing to resume negotiations, none were scheduled as of Wednesday.
