The drama in the South Bay has reached peak levels as VTA workers continue their strike, leaving commuters hanging like last week’s laundry. After negotiations went nowhere faster than a bus stuck in traffic, Valley Transportation Authority officials have decided to call in the governor for a little help. Because, what’s more efficient than asking Newsom to swoop in like a superhero?

Raj Singh, the spokesman for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, bluntly stated the situation: “They’re exploring all options except for the one that obviously resolves this conflict, which is coming to the table and presenting us a fair contract proposal”. Fair point, Raj. If only VTA officials had sent out an RSVP to that table!

With nearly a week of picketing under their belts, the workers are demanding higher wages and changes to the arbitration language in their contracts. Meanwhile, VTA seems more married to their old offers than to finding a solution. According to Singh, it’s the same insult, uh, offer, since February 28th. If that’s efficiency, we’d hate to see their idea of innovation.

VTA is claiming that the strike is causing “irreparable harm” to 100,000 daily riders. But instead of sweetening the deal, they’ve decided to initiate a lawsuit against the union, arguing that they violated a “no-strike” clause from an expired contract. Pro tip: When your contract expires, it might be time to update the terms rather than drag workers to court.

The VTA is presenting a 9.3% wage increase over the next three years and throwing in a $1,500 one-time payment. Sure, that sounds nice on paper but falls short when you factor in the relentless Bay Area cost of living. How far will that really take you? A couple of organic avocado toasts, perhaps?

As the strike drags on through the weekend, Singh has made one thing clear: “Now they’re reaching out to the governor instead of doing the right thing. At this point, the strike will continue until an agreement is reached, or an injunction is granted… or if the governor steps in”. Let’s hope he doesn’t just take a photo-op and leave us all in the lurch, again.

In a world where public transportation should serve the people, the VTA’s current actions are more like a bus that’s perpetually late. Who knew that negotiating fair pay for workers would turn into a political soap opera? Stay tuned, folks. This one isn’t over yet.