A co-founder of the specialized HandyDART transit system that provides accessible door-to-door service says he supports staff 害羞草研究所�100 per cent害羞草研究所� as their strike in Metro Vancouver continues.
Former Vancouver councillor Tim Louis says HandyDART drivers害羞草研究所� job are more demanding than those of conventional bus drivers, and they deserve to be treated and paid fairly.
His comments come on the second day of the strike that has halted most HandyDART service in Metro Vancouver, although trips to certain medical treatments continue under an essential-service agreement.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 President Joe McCann says he害羞草研究所檚 trying to remain hopeful about mediated negotiations with employer Transdev Canada that are scheduled to commence on Sunday.
But McCann says it害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所渋mpossible to tell right now害羞草研究所� whether a deal to end the strike will be reached on the weekend.
Louis, a lawyer and advocate for people with disabilities, lobbied for the creation of HandyDART in 1981 and says most of its drivers 害羞草研究所渓ove their jobs,害羞草研究所� and have waited too long in Metro Vancouver for pay parity with other transit workers.
害羞草研究所淚 would just say to the HandyDart workers, I am behind you, 100 per cent,害羞草研究所� said Louis.
McCann said TransDev害羞草研究所檚 last contract offer was rejected by 83 per cent of union members who participated in the vote, and he hopes Transdev can 害羞草研究所渁djust their offer accordingly and provide something the members will be ready to vote 害羞草研究所榶es害羞草研究所� for.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淲e need to close that gap, and we害羞草研究所檙e hoping to close that gap as best we can and make it fair for our members,害羞草研究所� said McCann.
TransDev said on Tuesday after the start of the strike that its priority 害羞草研究所渞emains to reach a fair contract that balances the needs of our employees, HandyDART clients, and taxpayers.害羞草研究所�
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