VTA sues ATU Local 265 to end strike, citing a "no strike" clause breach, while ongoing wage increase negotiations remain contentious.

VTA has filed a legal complaint against its striking workers, claiming it’s a breach of contract.

SAN JOSE — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority filed a legal complaint Tuesday against Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 for allegedly violating a “no strike” clause in their collective bargaining agreement as the union’s continued to push for higher wages and other benefits.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 handed VTA leaders a notice with the intention to strike at Thursday’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority meeting.

More than 1,500 transit workers walked off the job early Monday morning, marking the first work stoppage in VTA’s 30-year history.

VTA’s final contract offer to workers last week included a wage increase of 9% over three years, keeping the employees as the second-highest paid in the Bay Area and the fifth-highest paid in the country. The union is seeking a 6% raise per year over three years and wants to add a clause guaranteeing arbitration for contract disputes.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has filed a legal complaint over the ongoing VTA workers' strike as the labor action entered its second day in the South Bay.

The VTA operators’ union is responding after the transit agency went to court trying to get striking drivers back to work.

Both the transit agency and the union say they are open to returning to negotiations, but no meetings have been set.