ATU ratifies contract with Santa Clara VTA

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 members on June 3 voted to ratify the most recent contract offer from California's Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). 

The agreement calls for wage increases of 4%, 3.5%, 3% and 4% over a four-year term with improved workplace policies and more dental benefits, VTA officials said in a press release. This brings the ATU into alignment with other VTA labor unions, all of which ratified labor agreements in April.

The ATU Local 265 represents 1,500 light-rail and bus operators, mechanics, dispatchers, fare inspectors and customer service representatives. With the ATU agreement ratified, all of the VTA's labor unions have active collective bargaining agreements in place. 

The new contract also ends a bargaining period that began in August 2024 and included a 17-day strike  in March that ended when a California Superior Court judge ruled that the union violated its contract when it went on strike.

“This contract ensures manageable labor costs over the next four years and provides our workforce with the compensation they deserve," said VTA General Manager and CEO Carolyn Gonot.