VTA Union Strike Begins, Disruptions Affect Commuters

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 has commenced a strike against the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) affecting bus and light rail services starting Monday at 12:01 a.m., impacting about 100,000 daily commuters in the South Bay area. The strike, involving over 1,500 workers including operators and maintenance staff, follows stalled negotiations over fair wages, benefits, and grievance procedures. VTA has offered a 9% wage increase over three years, but the union demands better workplace conditions, especially following a 2021 mass shooting at a VTA facility. Paratransit services remain unaffected, while VTA urges commuters to seek alternative transportation means. Both parties have submitted their final offers, but no new talks are scheduled, leaving the community to brace for prolonged disruptions.