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South Bay public transportation workers are continuing their strike into the weekend, with no resolution in sight after negotiations between the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 failed on Saturday, March 16.

This marks a week of picketing as the union fights for higher wages and changes to the contract's arbitration language.

Raj Singh, a spokesman for the union, expressed frustration with VTA's refusal to make a fair offer.

"They're exploring all options except for the one that obviously resolves this conflict, which is coming to the table and presenting us a fair contract proposal," Singh said in an interview.

Despite attempts to meet and discuss, including a session on Saturday evening, no agreement has been reached.

According to TheMercuryNews, the VTA's offer includes a 9.3% wage increase over three years and a $1,500 one-time payment for workers.

Additionally, VTA officials emphasized that this offer would ensure transit workers remain among the highest-paid in the Bay Area and the nation, alongside comprehensive benefits and a robust pension plan.

However, Singh maintains that the offer is not sufficient to meet the union's demands, highlighting that VTA is simply "being bullies."

VTA Strike Continues as 100,000 Riders Face Disruptions in Santa Clara County

Since the strike began on March 10, VTA has expressed concern about the significant disruption caused to the community.

The strike affects approximately 100,000 riders daily, with bus and light rail services idled across Santa Clara County. In response, VTA has filed a lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court, accusing the union of violating a "no-strike" clause in their expired contract, which union officials argue is outdated.

In an effort to resolve the deadlock, VTA has asked Governor Gavin Newsom to intervene, requesting that he appoint a Board of Investigation to examine the labor dispute.

Such a board would temporarily suspend the strike during the investigation, as state law prohibits a work stoppage during such proceedings. VTA officials sent their request to the governor's office on Saturday afternoon and are awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, union negotiations with VTA began in August 2024 to renew the union's contract, which expired on March 9.

The main points of contention include wage increases and the union's proposal to resolve conflicts by allowing workers to present grievances to a neutral third party rather than through court proceedings.

While VTA has proposed a 4% increase in the first year, followed by 3% and 2% increases in subsequent years, the union is seeking 6% wage increases each year, LocalNewsMatters said.

The strike and legal battles are expected to continue until an agreement is reached or state intervention takes place.