To prevent this disaster, Connect Bay Area is working to place a regional funding measure on the November 2026 ballot. AFSCME Local 3993 and our fellow AFSCME affiliates are proud to be involved with Connect Bay Area. This measure would provide approximately $1 billion annually to keep our transit systems running, clean, and safe.
Phase 1 (COMPLETE - 305,000 signatures collected): The Power of Your Signature
California law typically requires a two-thirds "supermajority" to pass new revenue measures. However, there is a way to ensure this measure passes with just a simple majority (50% + 1): by qualifying it as a citizen-initiated ballot measure. Read the latest polling results here.
We are currently in the first phase of the campaign: Signature Gathering. May 17, 2026 is the deadline for all petition signatures to be returned.
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Our Goal: We must collect over 200,000 signatures from voters across the five Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara) by June 2026.
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Why it Matters: By reaching this threshold through a petition drive rather than a legislative move, we lower the bar for victory in November, making it much harder for opponents to block this essential funding.
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Phase 1 Complete: 305,000 signatures were collected across the five counties. Validation will occur through the month of June with each county elections office.
How You Can Help
As union members, we know that strong transit is the backbone of a strong economy. We need volunteers to help gather signatures at transit hubs, community events, and in our neighborhoods.
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Volunteer: Once the signature gathering phase is complete, check back here for new events and ways for you to participate in supporting the ballot measure. In the meantime, you can download a copy of Political Activities Guidance at the bottom of this article. Also, check out the Do's and Don'ts for collecting signatures below.
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Stay Informed: For the latest campaign updates, volunteer opportunities, and detailed FAQs, visit the official campaign site at connectbayarea.com or check back here on our union website regularly.
Know Your Rights
As union members, it is important to know and understand your rights to participate in saving Bay Area Transit as private citizens. The California Labor Code protecting your rights are listed below:
- Labor Code § 1101 states that no employer can make or enforce any rule or policy "forbidding or preventing employees from engaging or participating in politics" or "controlling or directing... the political activities or affiliations of employees."
- Labor Code § 1102 states that an employer cannot "coerce or influence or attempt to coerce or influence his employees through or by means of threat of discharge or loss of employment to adopt or follow or refrain from adopting or following any particular course or line of political action."
- Labor Code § 96(k) and § 98.6, California explicitly protects employees from discrimination or retaliation for "lawful conduct occurring during nonworking hours away from the employer's premises."
