The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has successfully ratified contracts with three of its unions, while negotiations with the largest, representing frontline workers, continue to lag. This development came about as Service Employees International Union Local 521, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 1101, and Transportation Authority Engineers and Architects Local 21, collectively representing approximately 575 workers, sealed the deal with VTA on their new work agreements. According to a social media post from VTA, the approved contracts include improved wages over a 4-year term, better dental and vision benefits, and enhanced workplace policies.
📢 Big News: 3 Union Agreements Ratified! Employees in SEIU Local 521, AFSCME Local 1101, & TAEA Local 21 overwhelmingly approved new contracts effective 4/14/25. Agreements include 4-year term, wage increase: 4%, 3.5%, 3%, 4%, better dental & vision, enhanced workplace policies. pic.twitter.com/A64Tt08L6m
— VTA (@VTA) April 18, 2025
General Manager Carolyn Gonot expressed pride at reaching agreements with the three unions in a statement that VTA's budget is considered tight. She emphasized the contracts' competitiveness and viability, detailing terms such as a 14.5% wage increase staggered over the next four years. However, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265, which boasts over 1,500 members, including bus drivers and light rail operators, remains at a standstill in their contract discussions. Despite reaching agreements with the supervisor, professional, and technical unions in weeks, ATU negotiations have dragged on for eight months, revealing a discrepancy in the treatment of VTA's workforce tiers.
ATU Local 265 President Raj Singh conveyed dissatisfaction with VTA's negotiation process in an interview with San José Spotlight, stating, "The offers reflect what the agency thinks about its workforce. When it comes to the frontline workers, it’s always been that we’ve been treated a little different and there’s been no respect, and their actions prove that." After frontline workers initiated a strike that disrupted countywide transit services, the most recent offer tabled by VTA was reportedly an 11% raise over three years with reduced overtime benefits – a decline from the 14.5% raises given to other union members.
While contracts for the three unions await approval from the VTA Board of Directors, Mayor Matt Mahan expressed optimism regarding ongoing negotiations with ATU. In a post, he thanked AFSCME, SEIU, and TAEA members for approving "fair contracts." He shared his outlook that service disruption would be avoided and ATU would come to an agreeable terms. "With service restored and contracts extended for a majority of VTA’s unions, I’m optimistic that ATU and the agency will be able to settle on fair terms that maintain serve for our residents and give a well-deserved raise to our operators," Mayor Matt Mahan told his followers. The VTA Board will convene to discuss and possibly approve the new contracts on May 1.
