Metro Vancouver HandyDART workers plan full strike on Aug. 26 if no deal is reached
![HandyDART A HandyDART bus seen in Metro Vancouver.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2020/4/21/handydart-1-4905227-1642451488020.jpg)
Unionized transit workers who operate HandyDART service in Metro Vancouver are preparing for a full work stoppage on Aug. 26 if they cannot reach a tentative agreement with their employer in the coming days.
The more than 600 members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 voted to authorize a strike back in June, and have been engaging in partial work withdrawals since July 3.
The union says it has been in contract negotiations with Transdev, the French company contracted by TransLink to provide HandyDART service in Metro Vancouver, since November 2023.
“We're not confident we can get this done,” said Joe McCann, the union’s president. “Transdev has a history of dragging these things out. We'd really like TransLink to get involved.”
Caught in the middle of the dispute are the customers who rely on the service.
Trips that are not considered essential are being canceled, such as rides to grocery stores, community centres and everyday appointments.
“Well, it’s my lifeline,” said Rena Mazor from her home in Pitt Meadows.
“I don't drive anymore. I have MS, I'm 82, and it's pretty hard,” she said.
The union blames Transdev for staffing shortages and high turnover among HandyDART drivers, claiming that the staff turnover rate for HandyDART is more than double that of other TransLink workers, and blaming lower compensation for that difference.
It says its members make 16 per cent less than HandyDART drivers in the Fraser Valley – who were part of a 124-day transit strike of their own last year – and 30 per cent less than drivers employed by Coast Mountain Bus Company, which operates most TransLink buses.
For its part, the employer issued a brief statement Friday acknowledging the union's full-work-stoppage threat and claiming it has offered "significant" wage increases between 23 and 32 per cent, depending on classification, which would be fully implemented by Jan. 1, 2027.
"After 25 days of collaborative collective bargaining over nine months and a failed attempt at mediation the union walked away from, we are disappointed that our customers will potentially be in a position of reduced service and our employees’ livelihoods will be compromised," Transdev said.
"Our priority remains reaching a fair contract and, as always, we remain open to resolving this matter in good faith."
HandyDART is a service that provides door-to-door rides for "people who are unable to navigate conventional public transit without assistance," according to TransLink. It helps people with disabilities and mobility issues get to and from appointments and activities.
Last year's Fraser Valley bus strike was particularly hard on HandyDART users, who can be homebound without the service.
McCann said the ATU is "calling on TransLink to step in and direct their contractor to bargain a fair deal," but the regional transit provider referred all questions to Transdev, saying "TransLink is not at the negotiating table."
The union has set a deadline of 6 p.m. on Aug. 25 to reach a tentative deal. If no deal is reached by that time, the work stoppage would begin the following day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7033216.1726021317!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
FACT CHECK: A look at the false and misleading claims made during the Trump-Harris debate
In their first and perhaps only debate, former U.S. president Donald Trump and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris described the state of the country in starkly different terms. As the two traded jabs, some old false and misleading claims emerged along with some new ones.
BREAKING Conservatives to put forward non-confidence motion in Trudeau government 'at earliest possible opportunity'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party will put forward a non-confidence motion when Parliament resumes “at the earliest possible opportunity” with the aim of triggering an early federal election.
Singh not 'anxious' to launch election, says his top adviser
Jagmeet Singh's top adviser says the NDP leader is not particularly eager to trigger an election. But Anne McGrath, Singh's principal secretary, says there will be more volatility in Parliament and the odds of an early election have risen.
Quebec woman wins MAID case to die at home after legal fight with landlord
A woman who requested medical assistance in dying (MAID) won a major case in front of the Quebec rental board. She wanted to die at home, but her landlord didn't want her to.
Key takeaways from a debate that featured tense clashes and closed with a Taylor Swift endorsement
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage for the first — and possibly the last — time.
Mother of suspected Apalachee High School shooter apologizes to victims' families in open letter
The mother of the teenager suspected of killing four people during last week’s shooting at a Georgia high school has apologized to the victims' families in an open letter while insisting her son 'is not a monster.'
Some restaurants have increased their default tip options. Canadians think you should give this much
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
WATCH LIVE Liberals put up united front after fractious summer at Nanaimo retreat
Liberal MPs will have one last chance to tell their leader how they think their party can improve their political prospects before they return to Ottawa to face off against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the House of Commons.
Parents fight for change after 13-year-old girl dies in B.C. homeless camp
Brianna McDonald's death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.