Judge to decide whether to end VTA workers union strike
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The weeks-long VTA strike is heading to court Wednesday where a judge will decide the fate of the transit agency and its striking workers.
We spoke with principal attorney Adam Juratovac on what the judge will decide.
"Is whether the judge is going to allow the ATU to continue their strike, or if the judge is going to rule in favor the VTA and the collective bargaining agreement and stop the strike where it is," Juratovac said.
VTA says their contract with the union is very clear. "ATU agreed to a 'no strike' clause."
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In their complaint, their no-strike language stated:
"The term of this Agreement shall begin on March 7, 2022, and continues through March 3, 2025, and from year to year thereafter."
But the union argues that's contradictory.
They say a memo and statements were made in the media by the VTA that their contract had expired.
Political science professor Robert Ovetz teaches labor relations at San Jose State University.
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"We don't really have a lot of recent history where courts have stepped in and stopped a strike. In my perspective on this, is that it would be best for both parties to get back to the bargaining table and come to an agreement," Ovetz said.
So how did we get here?
On March 10, the union representing bus drivers, and other workers went on strike halting bus and light rail services across Silicon Valley.
On March 11, the VTA filed a legal complaint to Santa Clara County Superior Court.
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"They filed an emergency motion saying you guys - the court - please stop this strike right now or else we'll be irreparably harmed and the court refused to do that," Juratovac said.
Juratovac said even though these parties will meet in court on Wednesday, we shouldn't expect to see a decision.
"I guarantee there is going to be some good points made during tomorrow's hearing. The judge and his clerks are going to be looking into those issues, looking into this case and make the best decision they possible can," Juratovac said.
The two sides go to court in a Santa Clara County Superior Courtroom Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
VTA offers $5 Uber vouchers
Earlier on Tuesday, we saw that the first full day that Uber vouchers have been offered to VTA riders. First launched Monday at 7:00 p.m., the transit agency said the $5 Uber vouchers are an effort to ease the impact on riders.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Workers Local 265 strike continued well into its third week Tuesday with a rally outside of San Jose City Hall.
"We need the VTA board of directors to understand that the solution is not giving vouchers for Uber," said Jean Cohen, Executive Officer for the South Bay Labor Council. "It's actually coming to the table and negotiating fairly."
VTA says the vouchers are up to $5 and work only if riders are near a VTA stop.
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Riders pay the first $2.50 of their ride, then the voucher kicks in after that.
Riders are limited to a maximum of two rideshare trips per day for a total of $10.
Irvin Chee from San Jose says he takes VTA weekly, so he decided to look into the vouchers.
"I think everyone that's ever ridden Uber before knows that $5 an Uber is not going to get you very far," Chee said, "And while it's a nice gesture, I feel like it's barely even a band aid solution."
VTA said Tuesday afternoon that since the voucher program went live Monday evening, it had seen nearly 200 trips.
