The union local for Metro Vancouver HandyDART workers says it will hold a rally in Vancouver today to mark the beginning of its strike after members voted down a final offer by employer Transdev Canada last week.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 says the rally will begin at noon across from Pacific Central Station in Vancouver.

The union local says the majority of its members are 香蕉视频直播渇rustrated,香蕉视频直播� and rejected the company香蕉视频直播檚 offer after dealing with staffing shortages and 香蕉视频直播減oor compensation香蕉视频直播� compared to other transit employees.

A statement from the union says the rally will feature speakers including local president Joe McCann, the union香蕉视频直播檚 international president John Costa, as well as member of Parliament Bonita Zarillo, along with other union leaders.

It says the union local has told Transdev Canada, the company contracted by TransLink to operate the specialized door-to-door service, that it香蕉视频直播檚 willing to continue negotiating, but the company won香蕉视频直播檛 meet until Sept. 12.

TransLink says the service is still available for people with medical conditions who need to get to appointments for cancer, renal or multiple sclerosis treatments.