By Jana Kadah. San Jose Spotlight.
It seems no matter what San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan does, he can't curry favor with his union counterparts.
Mahan invited four labor groups representing VTA workers to receive an award for collaborating to ensure more housing options for homeless people in San Jose at the Cerone VTA courtyard earlier this month.
The award would be presented Saturday at Mahan's first State of the City address, an annual address 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 rejecting the award and will not be in attendance 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 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 have 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 driven by deep political divisions. While the transit agency's union workers 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 offered, noting that the city could not afford it, and union leaders took this 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. He said that until the last moment the workers were not part of the process, which is why he 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. “Are you giving us a reward for ignoring all of our safety concerns in the future?”
Dhanota said receiving an award after the housing site is completed would make more sense. Until then, he said he wants to make sure 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 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 presenting 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 does not change the fact that I am grateful to workers for being partners in our fight to end homelessness.”
The State of the City Address is tomorrow at San José City College, it is free to the public and begins at 1:00 p.m.
Read the original note giving click here.
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