Metro Vancouver HandyDART workers have announced plans for a full strike on August 26 if a deal is not reached with their employer, MVT Canadian Bus Inc.
The union representing the workers, Unifor Local 111, says that negotiations have been ongoing for months but have not resulted in a fair agreement for its members.
HandyDART is a specialized transit service for people with disabilities and is operated by MVT Canadian Bus Inc. on behalf of TransLink.
According to Unifor, the main issues in the negotiations include wages, benefits, and working conditions. The union is seeking a wage increase that is in line with other transit workers in the region, as well as improved benefits and working conditions.
In a statement, Unifor Local 111 President Balbir Mann said, “Our members provide an essential service to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. They deserve fair compensation and working conditions for the important work they do.”
The union has also expressed concerns about the safety of its members, citing incidents of violence and harassment on the job. They are calling for improved safety measures and training for workers.
If the strike goes ahead, it will affect approximately 200 HandyDART workers and could disrupt the transportation of thousands of people with disabilities in the Metro Vancouver area.
In response to the strike announcement, MVT Canadian Bus Inc. has stated that they are committed to reaching a fair agreement with the union and are willing to continue negotiations.
TransLink has also released a statement, saying that they are monitoring the situation closely and are working to minimize the impact on HandyDART users.
The last time HandyDART workers went on strike was in 2016, when they were able to reach a deal with their employer after three days of job action.
The union has stated that they are hopeful a strike can be avoided if a fair agreement can be reached before the August 26 deadline. However, they are prepared to take job action if necessary.
As negotiations continue, the fate of HandyDART services in Metro Vancouver remains uncertain. The union and employer have until August 26 to come to an agreement before the full strike is set to take place.
