By Robert Haugh
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is warning the public about a possible transit strike today.
Here’s what the agency posted on X.com yesterday at 3:08 pm.
But it won’t happen.
Here’s what the union leader told a local news website:
“The negotiations have been very poor,” ATU Local 265 President Raj Singh told San José Spotlight.
Singh said while no strike is planned for Tuesday, the union has been making preparations in case a deal is not reached before the contract’s end, including receiving strike approval from the South Bay Labor Council.
Instead of unnecessarily alarming the public, VTA should listen to Singh.
Or they should read their own website’s labor relations section:
Before a possible strike, one side must declare an impasse. That hasn’t happened yet.
If that ever happens, VTA can appeal to the Governor for a “cooling off period” to delay a strike that would have a negative public impact.
In 2019, The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury body slammed the VTA as being the worst transit agency in the nation. The VTA rejected their findings.
Sounds like another group of people we know in local government.
As it turns out, the warning was accurate and useful. The strike starts in 2 days.
I doubt very much if things have changed since then. Years ago I was talking to a VTA employee about the poor management and waste. So before 2019 it was a basket case, I don’t see a positive trend line. Maybe it should be privatized.
“In 2019, The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury body slammed the VTA as being the worst transit agency in the nation. The VTA rejected their findings.”
The CEO of VTA needs to go. She is in over her head with the BART tunnel. The union has to give 48 hour notice before a strike, VTA should read their contract.
VTA is trying to prepare the public for the possibility of a strike. The union got the approval to strike. The union is playing games. Maybe research what the union has been offered and turned down before blasting the agency. There’s always two sides to the story.
Hey Husky,
Is it too much for VTA to be honest and tell the whole story about what the process is for a strike to happen? The public can figure it out if given the facts.
Neo nazi website X posts false news … what a surprise. Long live democracy and down with tyrants. That extends to the Jed York and the real corruption with Anthony Becker, meter maid Mathew’s and pedophile Concerta. We Bay Area was always a bastion for freedom and human rights and we need to get back there.
Well it’s week 3 of the strike.
Several VTA drivers gave us a heads up that it will happen. One told me that he’s afraid, but that they’ve got to fight for what’s right. And the way VTA is handling it (or not handling it for that matter) and essentially blaming the union amounts to an admission of its failings.
As a disabled individual in dire circumstances due to the lack of reliable and affordable transportation, I support this strike. VTA, is fair wage and a bare minimum of respect too much to ask for?