Prior to the court ruling, union members overwhelmingly rejected the agency’s previous contract offer, which included an 11% raise over a period of three years. The current offer adds a fourth year onto the deal, which matches the contract lengths of other VTA labor groups.
Singh said the agency and union also negotiated terms ensuring the agency won’t seek punishments or retaliation against the union members for their strike actions, which the prior offer didn’t include.
While it includes some positive changes, Singh said he doesn’t feel the wage proposal is a fair deal for the union, but felt compelled to bring the latest offer to a vote so members can voice their opinion.
He accused VTA of “politely threatening” the union by noting there might not be another chance to get a deal approved by the agency’s board of directors for a month or more because of the Fourth of July holiday.
“We are at the point where we’ve been negotiating over eight months, and the agency is using the time and the injunction against us at this point,” Singh said. “They want to continue dragging their feet, and we owe it to our members to put this offer in front of them and let them decide if they are acceptable to the terms.”
Hendler Ross said the agency has “been eager and open” to negotiating the entire length of the contract dispute.
“There is nothing that VTA has done or would do to drag its feet or to draw this out. It’s not to anyone’s benefit to do that,” she said.
Singh said voting will likely take place all day Tuesday to give members on different shifts a chance to cast their vote, and results could be ready by early Wednesday.
