The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board took decisive action in a special meeting today, ramping up their wage offer in a bid to put an end to the ongoing transit strike led by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265, which has left passengers and routes hanging in limbo since March 10.

The VTA Board laid out a revised proposal, now offering an 11% wage increase over three years, broken down as 4% in the first two years and 3% in the third year, only if ATU agrees to terms that would slash absenteeism, ensuring riders aren’t left stranded, which was a jump from their prior 9% three-year proposal but also to ensure the VTA service reliability doesn’t take a hit, the board's updated offer is designed to maintain VTA operator wages as the second highest among the Bay Area's 27 transit agencies.

Sergio Lopez, the VTA Board Chair, emphasized the aim of the special meeting, as he stated, as per the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, "We called this special meeting to prove our commitment to resolving the strike,” further expressing his hope to finalize a wage proposal acceptable to both ATU and its members, acknowledging the trying times for staff and riders alike.

Although the striking workers’ primary concern, the arbitration language, was sorted out last Wednesday when VTA accepted the union’s proposal, VTA General Manager/CEO Carolyn Gonot expressed her respect for the frontline workers and a shared eagerness to get them back on the job and passengers moving once more because our city relies on these vital connections, she said, per Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, "I have the greatest respect for our frontline employees; they have a tough job. We want to get them back to work and our passengers on the road as soon as possible, while addressing the fiduciary responsibilities of the agency and protecting the services our passengers rely on," she professed her reverence for VTA employees and her desire to find a middle ground that meets fiscal responsibilities.