Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. this morning and made “some progress.”
But, he tells 1130 NewsRadio that union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
“It’s not great news for riders, but the good news is so far in our contract, we’ve come up with proposals to help out with delays,” said McCann.
He says a better contract will make for better service and a stable workforce.
“If we can get a good contract, that’ll help attract and retain trained employees, and that should be good also, because they have the experience to take care of clients.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
1130 NewsRadio has reached out to Transdev for comment.
McCann says he is confident they will be getting back to talks “soon.”