HandyDART workers set date to strike

Editor’s note: this story has been updated to include a response from Transdev.

The union representing HandyDART workers says it has a set date to strike if a tentative agreement isn’t made with their employers.

ATU Local 1724 says if there’s no agreement with Transdev Canada by 6 p.m. on Aug. 25, there will be a “full strike” the following day.

The multinational mobility company, Transdev, is contracted by TransLink to operate all HandyDART services in Metro Vancouver.

Union President Joe McCann tells 1130 NewsRadio there’s currently no bargaining happening.

“We went to mediation, and we were still very far apart,” said McCann.

“We’ve been doing this negotiation since November last year, and we’ve been without a contract since December. So the escalating job action seems to be the inevitable end.”

He says so far the union hasn’t fully striked, but the BC Labour Board has put together an essential service agreement to dictate which HandyDart trips must be made as operators take certain job actions.

“We’ve got a uniform refusal, a fare refusal; drivers are now conducting an overtime refusal, which seems to be causing lots of problems. And we’ve got the booking agents refusing to do some minor things in the office,” said McCann.

“We’ll be picking up all people going for dialysis, cancer treatments, and MS treatments. We’ll keep those people safe, but unfortunately, that will be the only trips we’ll be doing.”

Transdev tells 1130 NewsRadio that it is aware the union has communicated to employees its intention to strike Aug. 26 if there is no tentative agreement by Aug. 25.

“After 25 days of collaborative collective bargaining over 9 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.

“Transdev has offered significant wage increase between 23% and 32% depending on classifications, by January 1 2027.”

McCann says the union has made “incredibly reasonable” demands for better wages from Transdev Canada. 

“I’d just like TransLink to help get this done, or the mayor’s councils or whoever can step in and prevent the full work stoppage, because we don’t want our clients getting hurt or completely left behind in this one.”

HandyDART Riders Alliance Chair Beth McKellar says a strike would be a major inconvenience, but adds that the job action period has been difficult as well.

“Right now, it’s having an awful effect. Because if you want to go to do shopping or get your hair or nails done, any miscellaneous trip, you’re out of luck,” said McKellar.

But she says she does support the HandyDART workers and wishes Transdev Canada would negotiate.

“The contractor, I believe, has not put full-time runs on anywhere anymore. It’s just a mess,” she said.

“I am so upset that it has to come to this, because so many people like [the COVID-19 pandemic] just about did us, and we were so isolated. But what I myself am telling people is that it sucks for the short term, and I have a strong feeling it’ll be very short-term and that it’ll be for the long-term gain. Because the drivers aren’t doing it just for themselves, or the office, or the call-takers. They’re also doing it for us and the people coming up behind us.”

McKellar says there’s really no alternative to the work that HandyDART does, and she hopes the workers get the compensation they deserve.

“These folks are a really rare breed of people. They love their jobs. They’re compassionate. They wouldn’t be in the jobs if they weren’t the right people to be there. Because our demographic —  we’re a really mixed bag of a lot of things — and they’re tolerant, they’re patient, they’re kind. And then these for-profit — keyword: for-profit — contractors think they can just kick them around, like they’re garbage in the street. They don’t get very much money. And their benefits? Ugh. The company just skimps on everything.”

In the meantime, McKellar says people who rely on HandyDART services are forced to ask friends and family or commission taxis for rides.

“We’re just trying to get a fair wage, and we’re still way behind,” said McCann.

—With files from Angelyna Mintz and Renee Bernard