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Transit workers for Metro Vancouver HandyDART service to rally after strike begins

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Sep, 2024 12:36 PM

Most HandyDART trips in Metro Vancouver have been cancelled as unionized workers for the specialized transit service begin a strike.

Regional transport provider TransLink says in an online notice that most HandyDART trips are cancelled due to the job action but the service is still available for people with medical conditions who need to get to appointments for cancer, renal or multiple sclerosis treatments.

The union local for the workers says it will hold a noon rally in Vancouver after members voted down a final contract offer by employer Transdev Canada last week.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 says most of its members are "frustrated," and rejected the company's offer after dealing with staffing shortages and "poor compensation" compared to other transit employees.

A statement from the union says the rally will feature speakers including local president Joe McCann and the union's international president John Costa, as well as Port Moody-Coquitlam MP Bonita Zarillo.

It says the union local has told Transdev Canada, the company contracted by TransLink to operate the door-to-door service, that it's willing to continue negotiating, but the company won't meet until Sept.12.

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