By Jana Kadah. San Jose Spotlight.
It seems that no matter what San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan does, he can't win favor with his union counterparts.
Mahan invited four labor groups representing VTA workers to receive an award for collaborating to secure more housing options for homeless people in San Jose at the Cerone VTA yard earlier this month.
The award was to be presented Saturday at Mahan's first State of the City address, an annual speech by the mayor to update residents on his performance, progress in solving the city's biggest problems and future plans.
Union leaders from ATU 265, IFPTE 21, SEIU 521 and AFSCME 1101, which represent more than 2,000 VTA employees, are declining the award and will not be present to accept it. But VTA officials will be present to accept the award, Mahan said.
“While we appreciate your invitation, we are concerned that you initially chose to defame us and our members and did not engage in a candid process with VTA to address the concerns of all parties,” union representatives wrote in an Oct. 16 letter.
Mahan said he was disappointed that the invitation was declined because it was meant to celebrate two opposing positions working together to solve homelessness.
“The important thing is that we all came together to secure a site that will house 200 people currently living in encampments,” Mahan told San José Spotlight. “This was one of the biggest discussions and policy decisions we’ve made this year on the VTA (board). I think it’s an important moment to celebrate where we landed.”
The debate among VTA board members was contentious and fueled by deep political divisions. While unionized workers at the transit agency opposed using the yard for homeless housing due to safety concerns, the plans were ultimately approved with a unanimous vote earlier this month.
The relationship between Mahan and the unions was already strained before this, due to a month-long wage negotiation in August that nearly led to the city’s largest employee strike in 40 years. Mahan intended not to give an additional raise beyond what the city was offering, noting that the city could not afford it, and union leaders took that as a sign that Mahan did not fully support the workers.
Tammy Dhanota, SEIU 521 president for the VTA chapter, said she still feels uncomfortable that the San Jose City Council approved the use of VTA sites for homeless housing in 2022 without first talking to employees. She said workers were not part of the process until the last minute, so she considers Mahan’s award to be political and not in good faith.
“For me, I can’t accept it. I feel like it’s a bribe or something,” Dhanota told San José Spotlight. “Is he giving us a reward for ignoring all of our security concerns going forward?”
Dhanota said receiving an award after the housing site is complete would make the most sense. Until then, he said he wants to ensure that workers’ concerns are addressed throughout the process of building and filling the transitional housing.
“We want to make sure that (Mahan) follows through on what he says,” Dhanota said, referring to the safety measures and community advisory groups that workers wanted.
Mahan said the city worked with union leaders in the months leading up to the Cerone vote and also held a town hall meeting before the vote. He said there was community involvement, but he understands that doesn't mean everyone will be on the same page.
“I think we should focus on the fact that we are moving forward together and putting forward a really meaningful solution that will save lives,” Mahan explained. “I am disappointed that VTA workers are not represented by their union leaders, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am grateful to the workers for being partners in our fight to end homelessness.”
The State of the City address is tomorrow at San José City College, is free to the public and begins at 1:00 p.m.
Read the original note giving Click here.
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