The head of the union for striking HandyDART transit workers in Metro Vancouver says he香蕉视频直播檚 cautiously optimistic ahead of Sunday香蕉视频直播檚 mediated negotiations with their employer, but members are prepared to stay on strike 香蕉视频直播渁s long as it takes.香蕉视频直播�

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 president Joe McCann says it香蕉视频直播檚 concerning that employer Transdev waited a week to come to the table with a mediator, but the union remains 香蕉视频直播渙ptimistic香蕉视频直播� a deal can be done.

About 600 employees of the accessible door-to-door transit service have been on strike since Tuesday, only offering trips to essential medical appointments, over demands for better pay, closer to that of other transit services.

McCann says the lack of appropriate pay has led to struggles recruiting and retaining staff and the union is seeking a raise of about five dollars an hour.

He has previously said Transdev香蕉视频直播檚 last contract offer was rejected by 83 per cent of union members who participated in the vote.

Transdev said in a statement on the first day of the strike that its priority 香蕉视频直播渞emains to reach a fair contract that balances the needs of our employees, HandyDART clients, and taxpayers.香蕉视频直播�