Striking VTA workers reportedly set to vote on new contract
VTA officials in the South Bay on Friday told CBS News Bay Area that members of the VTA workers union will vote Saturday on a new contract.
Transit officials said the deal on the table would raise wages by more than 10% over the next three years.
The news comes as the VTA strike reached its 12th day. The labor action has halted bus and light rail services across Santa Clara County since early the morning of March 10th.
Transit officials and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 representatives have been unable to reach a deal after months of negotiations. The VTA workers' latest contract expired a week before the strike commenced.
1,500 employees are on strike demanding higher wages and third-party arbitration. The strike has shut down public transit service for 100,000 daily riders in Santa Clara County.
In a statement issued Friday, the transit agency said, "VTA has gone above and beyond to accommodate union demands. The current proposal is highly competitive and fair."
Last weekend, the transit agency sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom asking for a fact-finding investigation to help end the strike.
The VTA called on the governor to order drivers and operators back to work while talks continue.
CBS News Bay Area has reached out to the union for comment on a new contract vote, but have yet to hear back.
