Buckle up, Bay Area! The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) strike is still rolling, and it’s not just the buses that are stuck in a standstill. Entering its second week, the VTA workers are refusing to back down as negotiations between the agency and the union seem to be taking a lazy Tuesday stroll in the wrong direction.

Over the weekend, negotiations couldn’t even yield a peep, despite ATU members picketing tirelessly since they walked off the job on March 10th. Close to 100,000 daily commuters are feeling the pain (and the weight of their car keys) as they scramble to find alternative routes. Anyone fancy a game of “guess which bus is actually running?”

In a bold twist, the VTA, clearly channeling some serious dramatic flair, tried to sue for an injunction to bring the strike to a halt, claiming the workers were violating a “no strike” clause. But before you could say “legal jargon,” a Santa Clara County judge denied the request due to procedural issues. Oops, looks like someone forgot their court etiquette!

Raj Singh, president of ATU Local 265, has called out the VTA’s attempts as blatant contradictions. “They want to play hardball about existing contracts while claiming that the agreements still apply when they expired!” he said, definitely less than impressed.

Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has been urged to step in, but it’s unclear whether he’s on the sort of schedule that allows for jumping into messy labor disputes. His deputy director was all about urging “meaningful conversations,” which makes us wonder if everyone might be better off heading to happy hour instead.

Despite the lack of progress in negotiations, Singh stated the union’s resolve is stronger than ever, emphasizing that workers are showing up rain or shine. “Doesn’t matter if it’s cold or raining outside – they’re there,” Singh commented, proving that dedication still exists in this uncertain world.

While VTA Deputy GM Greg Richardson described the talks as ‘productive,’ it seems that the vibe was all talk and no action. As the court date on March 26 looms, the stakes are high, and with no legal precedent for halting a public transit strike in California, the workers’ rights battle continues.

The workers from ATU have made it clear: they’re not backing down anytime soon. So, commuter friends, if your morning coffee routine includes an unexpected Uber ride now, it’s time to rally behind the people who keep your Bay Area connections alive, and screaming in traffic. Strike on, fearless strikers! You’ve got this!