The operator of Metro Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 specialized HandyDART transit system says it will meet with striking workers and a mediator on Sunday in an effort to resolve the dispute that has shut down most of the service.

TransDev Canada says it香蕉视频直播檚 been in contact with the B.C. Labour Relations Board, which had contacted the union in an effort to resolve the contract dispute, and both sides had agreed to the meeting.

TransDev says an essential service agreement means the door-to-door transport system is still available for those with medical conditions who need to get to appointments for cancer, renal or multiple-sclerosis treatments.

Other HandyDART trips in Metro Vancouver have been cancelled for an indefinite period after unionized workers began their strike Tuesday morning.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 says most 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 final contract offer last week 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.

The local香蕉视频直播檚 financial secretary, Laura Wylie, says it香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播済reat香蕉视频直播� news that the company is ready to talk on Sunday, but the union is willing to meet even sooner.

The striking HandyDART workers meanwhile staged a rally in Vancouver where union boss Joe McCann said allowing the service to be run by a for-profit company isn香蕉视频直播檛 working, and it香蕉视频直播檚 up to regional transport provider TransLink to step in and 香蕉视频直播渇ix this mess.香蕉视频直播�

McCann said the service in Metro Vancouver had been contracted out to France-based Transdev since 2018.

香蕉视频直播淭ransdev is a private for-profit company. HandyDART and our clients are not a model for profit, it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 work 香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 a failed experiment,香蕉视频直播� said McCann, who was joined by the union香蕉视频直播檚 international president, John Costa.

香蕉视频直播淥ur workers are valued differently. They are treated differently than regular transit drivers. Our passengers are marginalized, they are not valued. It香蕉视频直播檚 sad.香蕉视频直播�

Hundreds showed up at the rally at Thornton Park across from the Pacific Central Station in Vancouver.

McCann said the union wasn香蕉视频直播檛 just calling for better pay for workers and better services for riders but also wanted the TransLink board to take control of HandyDART香蕉视频直播檚 Metro Vancouver operation.

香蕉视频直播淭ake us in-house, TransLink, that香蕉视频直播檚 enough of this failed experiment 香蕉视频直播� tell Transdev to come to the table, tell them to step up, pay up, and let香蕉视频直播檚 take care of our passengers,香蕉视频直播� said McCann.

It said the union local had told Transdev Canada it was willing to continue negotiating, but the company would not meet until Sept. 12. Transdev later announced the Sept. 8 meeting.

香蕉视频直播淥ur priority remains to reach a fair contract that balances the needs of our employees, HandyDART clients, and taxpayers,香蕉视频直播� read the TransDev statement.

香蕉视频直播漌e apologize to the community for the public impact of this collective bargaining dispute.香蕉视频直播�

Jonathan Ascenicio, a HandyDART rider from Tsawwassen, attended the rally.

He said even though the strike affected him as a user, he wanted to show support for the workers.

Ascenicio said that after suffering a stroke at the age of 28, he started using HandyDART, which took him to destinations including his therapy in Surrey.

Ascenicio said HandyDART workers would have 香蕉视频直播済reat conversations香蕉视频直播� with him and treated their riders with care and love.

香蕉视频直播淗andyDART workers do it not because of the money, they do it because they care,香蕉视频直播� said Ascenicio.

But he said HandyDART drivers in Metro Vancouver deserved as much money as other transit drivers.

North Burnaby resident Beth McKellar, chair of the HandyDart Riders香蕉视频直播� Alliance, also showed up at the rally and agreed with McCann香蕉视频直播檚 call to bring Metro Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 service in house.

McKellar said she had been using HandyDART for more than 20 years and its drivers had made her tough days easier.

She encouraged fellow HandyDART passengers affected by the strike to reach out to their neighbours for help.

香蕉视频直播淗ang in there, folks, It香蕉视频直播檚 short-term pain for long-term gain,香蕉视频直播� she said.