(KRON) — As a strike by South Bay transit workers stretched into its second day, the Valley Transportation Authority has now taken legal action to bring it to an end. On Tuesday, the VTA filed a legal complaint against the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 for breach of the “no strike” clause in an agreement cited by VTA between the two parties.
The VTA said its goal was to bring an end to the strike “as fast as possible and to allow for the restoration of VTA bus and light rail services.”
“The strike is having an overwhelming impact on the community, and we are working on all efforts to support our riders getting to work, school, medical appointments, and events,” the VTA said. “VTA is an integral part of the transportation network for Santa Clara County and the region overall. Getting our buses and trains rolling is imperative.”
VTA maintains it has been actively engaged in bargaining with the ATU since August.
“It’s unfortunate that those people at this point have to find an alternative mode of transportation, but this was not our intent,” union representative Raj Singh told KRON4 Monday morning. “We’ve been very upfront with the agency from day one on what our asks were.”
The union is looking for 6% wage increases each year over the next three years, the VTA said, while the agency is offering a wage increase of 4%, 3% and 2% over three years.
The ATU represents more than 1,500 VTA workers. On Monday night, two of the picketing transit union members were injured after they were struck by a passing truck near VTA headquarters.
