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TransDev to Meet Striking HandyDART Workers Amid Service Disruption
The operator of Metro Vancouver’s HandyDART, a specialized transit service for individuals with disabilities, has announced plans to meet with striking employees and a mediator on Sunday. This initiative aims to find a resolution to the ongoing strike that has severely limited service availability.
TransDev Canada has confirmed that it has been in communication with the British Columbia Labour Relations Board. This governmental body has facilitated discussions with the union, leading to an agreement to hold the upcoming meeting.
Despite the strike, an essential service agreement remains in effect. This allows the HandyDART service to continue operating for clients requiring transport for medical appointments, including treatments for cancer, renal issues, or multiple sclerosis.
As the strike commenced on Tuesday morning, a significant number of HandyDART trips across Metro Vancouver have been canceled indefinitely. Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 expressed their frustration over the situation, revealing that they turned down TransDev’s final contract offer due to ongoing staffing shortages and compensation issues that fall short of industry standards.
Laura Wylie, the financial secretary for the union, welcomed the announcement of the meeting, highlighting that the union is prepared to engage in discussions even sooner than scheduled.
In a show of solidarity, HandyDART employees organized a rally in Vancouver on Tuesday. Union leader Joe McCann criticized the privatization of the service under TransDev, a for-profit company based in France, suggesting that the current operational model is inadequate for serving the needs of clients and workers alike. He urged the regional transport authority, TransLink, to take action and rectify the situation.
Union Leadership Calls for Changes
McCann indicated that the service model under which HandyDART is run has proven unsuccessful since being outsourced to TransDev in 2018. He denounced the profit-driven approach, claiming it fails to prioritize the needs of both the workforce and the passengers. Alongside McCann at the rally was John Costa, the international president of the union.
“TransDev is a private for-profit company. HandyDART and our clients are not a model for profit—it doesn’t work … It’s a failed experiment,” McCann stated. He emphasized the need for equitable treatment of HandyDART workers, stating that they are often seen as lesser than regular transit drivers and that their passengers face marginalization.
The rally drew hundreds of attendees who joined in the call for greater accountability and support for both workers and clients. McCann further urged TransLink to integrate HandyDART services, criticizing TransDev’s management and highlighting the necessity for improved conditions.
TransDev later acknowledged the need to reach a fair contract, stating that their priority lies in balancing the demands of employees, customers, and taxpayers.
Despite the inconvenience caused by the strike, many HandyDART users expressed their support for the workers. Jonathan Ascenicio, a HandyDART rider from Tsawwassen, attended the rally to demonstrate his solidarity, noting the compassionate service he has received from drivers during his recovery from a stroke.
“HandyDART workers do it not because of the money; they do it because they care,” Ascenicio remarked, reinforcing the bond between clients and drivers during his experience with the service.
Beth McKellar, chair of the HandyDART Riders’ Alliance, echoed McCann’s sentiments, advocating for the service to be brought back in-house. With over two decades of utilizing HandyDART, McKellar appreciated the efforts of drivers in making her daily challenges more manageable. She encouraged other affected passengers to lean on their communities for assistance during this temporary disruption.
As discussions continue, the outcome of the negotiations will play a significant role in determining the future of HandyDART services in Metro Vancouver.
Source
globalnews.ca