VTA has over 2,200 employees, and approximately 90% of them are represented by four bargaining units, or unions. The VTA Labor Relations Department is responsible for negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements with representatives from those unions regarding wages, hours, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.

VTA is currently negotiating contracts with two of our four unions – ATU Local 265 (Amalgamated Transit Union) and SEIU Local 521 (Service Employees International Union). As of January 16, negotiators for VTA and SEIU Local 521 reached a tentative agreement which will go before the union membership for ratification. The expectation is that a contract will be ratified by union members by the end of January and approved by the VTA Board of Directors at their February meeting.

VTA and ATU Local 265 continue to bargain in good faith, with more meetings scheduled next week. As part of good faith bargaining, VTA and ATU Local 265 have been actively trading, reviewing, and responding to proposals. Many elements of these proposals have already reached a point of tentative agreement.

Our most important goal is to reach an agreement that protects the public, the taxpayer, and our customers. We are also aiming for an agreement that is competitive and fair for our employees but is also financially sustainable over the long term. The challenge exists in reaching an agreement with ATU Local 265 based on proposals traded to date.

We have published a Labor Relations webpage to provide information to the public and updates regarding the negotiations that are underway. Here you will find links to VTA’s collective bargaining agreements (or contracts), proposals traded to date, wage and benefit information compared to other transit agencies, and the status of our negotiation process. This page will be updated as negotiations continue.