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Council approves three-year extension with First Transit amid union dispute
Summary
The Vacaville City Council voted to approve a three-year amendment to its transit services contract with First Transit/Transdev to avoid service disruption, despite union calls to delay action while labor negotiations continue and staff warnings about federal funding risks.
The Vacaville City Council voted July 28 to authorize a three-year amendment to the city's contract for fixed-route, demand-response and paratransit services with First Transit (now Transdev), covering roughly $10 million-plus over three years.
Council members said approving the amendment avoided an immediate service gap: the city's 2021 agreement includes an option to extend, and staff warned the current contract would expire the coming Friday. "If we do not approve item 9k, our agreement with First Transit will expire this Friday," City Attorney/Staff (speaker 2) told the council, adding that lapse could force month-to-month arrangements at higher cost or risk interruption of services residents rely on.
The decision came after members of the public, including a Teamsters representative, urged the council to delay approval until a private labor dispute between drivers and the contractor is resolved. A union speaker asked the council to "not approve 9k" because drivers are seeking higher pay and said the union and company had not reached a settlement.
Transdev's Carmen Alba, senior vice president for the Northwest region, told the council the operator has been negotiating "in good faith" with the Teamsters and provided details on the contract and operations: "Over the last four years, the current CBA includes a 38% increase," she said, and passenger satisfaction was "94%" in a recent survey. Alba said Transdev will continue negotiations and seeks a resolution that "best serves the city."
City staff warned of federal procurement and funding constraints that limit the city's ability to intercede in third-party labor disputes. Public Works Director (speaker 15) said staff did not believe the city should become involved in private labor negotiations but cautioned that allowing the contract to lapse could jeopardize federal grants and increase costs. The council's motion to approve the contract amendment carried on a roll-call vote.
The council directed staff and the contractor to continue efforts to resolve outstanding labor matters while maintaining service. The council did not impose conditions on the contract award beyond the standard procurement and budgetary oversight, and staff said they would report back on any material developments.
