Metro Vancouver HandyDART workers reach tentative deal: union

The union representing HandyDART workers in MetroVancouversays a tentative agreement has been reached with the company that runs the door-to-door transit service, after an 18-day strike and months of bargaining.

The Amalgamated Transit Union said Friday evening that Local 1724 will hold a ratification vote in the coming days.

About 600 HandyDART employees had been on strike since early September, pausing all service except essential medical trips.

"It's been a long fight for our HandyDART members, but since day one of our strike, we have stood strong, and we have never been more united," said Joe McCann, president of Local 1724, in the union's press release.

"We now have a fair and just contract that narrows the gap between us and conventional transit. It also ensures a safe and reliable transit system for our HandyDART riders who rely on this critical service. We would like to thank our riders in particular, who have shown us overwhelming solidarity during these difficult 18 days."

The union says the new contract includes significant wage increases.

It says key issues included staffing shortages and high worker turnover due to poor compensation compared with other transit jobs in the region.

Transdev is the contracted operator of HandyDART, which serves people who are unable to navigate the conventional transit system. CBCNews has reached out to the company for comment.