SAN JOSE, Calif. — As they enter their second week on strike, over 1,500 bus drivers, light-rail operators, mechanics and office workers here, members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, continue to maintain strong picket lines in their fight against the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.
Instead of meeting the union’s demands, management is vilifying the strikers, painting them as greedy and heartless in inconveniencing over 100,000 people who use public transit in the county.
When Socialist Workers Party mayoral candidate Eric Simpson and campaign supporters joined one of the many picket lines March 17, strikers expressed outrage at the slanders against them. “We are the ones who know and watch out for the people who ride on our routes,” driver Marta Sacil told us. “I love my job and I’m missing all those I usually see, like the woman in the wheelchair I pick up all the time.
“In the news all they talk about is that we want a wage increase and given the prices today, we do need one,” Sacil said. “But our fight for the right to bring our grievances to arbitration is the bigger issue. They don’t explain this because they want it to look like all we care about is money.”
Jeff Down, a bus driver for 20 years, told us that up to now whenever a union member came under company attack, or was threatened with firing, the union voted on whether to pursue the grievance. “Now management wants to decide if the grievance is real or not,” Down said. “It’s the fox asking to be in charge of the henhouse.”
He said he was inspired by the strength and determination of the strikers, most of whom have never been on a picket line before. “There’s a strong bond between us,” said Down.
The union is asking for a 6% raise each year of a three-year contract. Workers told us that with rents skyrocketing in San Jose many have moved to cheaper areas and travel longer distances to work. When you add to that the split shifts many work, it’s a long day leaving little time for family.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority bosses sought an injunction to shut down the strike, a move the court has denied, at least for now. The company also called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to impose a cooling-off period.
Miguel Solano, one of the younger drivers, told Simpson he was proud to be part of the fight. “When you stand up to the company, you’re making history. What you are doing is in the interest of all working people,” Simpson said.
Help is needed for this important fight. Join any of the daily picket lines throughout Santa Clara County. Donations can be made on the ATU Local 265 website.