VTA union workers approve new contract after months of negotiations

(KRON) — After months of negotiations, transit union workers with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) have approved a new contract, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 announced early Wednesday. The vote comes a couple of months after a strike that put union members out of work for weeks as they demanded increased wages and more benefits.

Union members approved the new VTA contract on Tuesday with 689 yes votes and 298 no votes, according to ATU Local 265.

“We acknowledge and recognize that these past several months have been really difficult, that this offer did not completely address all of our needs,” Raj Singh, president of Local 265, wrote in a statement to union members. “However, you, the majority have spoken and the democratic process must be recognized.”

For months, Local 265 and the VTA could not get on the same page when it came to a new contract. The contract expired, and in March, a weeks-long strike put the entire VTA fleet out of work.

After a California Superior Court judge ordered everyone back to work, negotiations continued. This week, the VTA announced a new offer including a 14 percent wage increase over four years along with improved dental benefits and more workplace policies.

The new contract comes at a time when the VTA is teetering on a multimillion-dollar deficit by 2027. Stacey Hendler Ross with the VTA told KRON4 before the vote Tuesday, “We are probably going to have to dip into reserves to balance that.”

Once the VTA ratifies the approved contract, benefits can roll in as soon as next week.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.