Despite Veritas’ anti-union campaign, the VTA strike has expanded to six buildings since June 1

 

December 14, 2023

Veritas Tenants Association members in six buildings are now on rent strike for improved living conditions and lower rents. Since the strike began on June 1, 2023 at 320-324 14th Street and 709 Geary Street, 14th St. members have secured a landmark agreement worth about $100,000 in rent reductions and rent refunds, as well as dismissal of multiple unlawful detainers filed by Veritas months ago before the strike started.

The strikers at 320-324 14th St. won an agreement that includes cancellation of unlawful rent increases and, on average, 75% rent reductions for a 12-month period. The VTA and Veritas reached the agreement on the eve of Prado Group taking over the building, and the tenants are now preparing to continue negotiations with Prado on remaining items, including language access protocols for the Spanish-speaking households who represent a majority of households in the building.

“Our strike has lowered our rents and stopped evictions,” said Luis Hernandez, a member at 320-324 14th St. “And we’re gonna keep fighting for what we deserve, regardless of the owner.”

At 781 O’Farrell Street, Veritas is attempting a brutal crackdown on the strike by filing four unlawful detainers against members just as Veritas and the VTA are beginning to exchange proposals on rent reductions. The tenant association at 781 O’Farrell Street, which began their strike on September 1 after a year of fighting for basic union recognition, consists almost entirely of Spanish- and Cantonese-speaking households.

At 434 Leavenworth Street, Veritas has been violating CA Civil Code 1942.4 for more than 16 months by collecting, demanding, and raising rents while Notices of Violation exist for more than 35 days. Leavenworth Street is part of the 75-building portfolio set to go to Ballast Investments. In anticipation of the sale, tenants are planning to start negotiations with Veritas in January 2024 and are preparing a multi-plaintiff lawsuit to hold Veritas accountable for its persistent neglect.

Tenants at 634 Powell St. and 516 Ellis St. have begun strikes as well in response to Notices of Violation and reduced housing services. Tenants at 709 Geary St. have continued their strike since June 1, 2023.

“We have always said that Veritas can end this strike across all the buildings,” says Sandra Martinez, a member at 320-324 14th St. “We are on strike to lower the rent, prevent homelessness, and ensure that our voices are respected, especially when huge companies are trading our homes.”

For more information about the VTA, please visit VeritasTenants.org. For even more, see this June 2023 article from San Francisco Business Times: What rent strike means for S.F. mega landlord Veritas Investments