16.94°C Vancouver

Aug 28, 2024 3:47 PM - The Canadian Press

HandyDART workers reject contract offer, union weighing options

Share On
handydart-workers-reject-contract-offer-union-weighing-options
A potential disruption of the door-to-door service was averted Monday, after workers suspended job action to vote on the contract offer.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Workers at British Columbia's HandyDART transit service have rejected a final contract offer, and their union says it is now considering its next move.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 has said it would give a 72-hour strike notice if membership voted down the latest offer by Transdev, the contracted operator of HandyDART.

A potential disruption of the door-to-door service was averted Monday, after workers suspended job action to vote on the contract offer.

Local 1724 president Joe McCann called the suspension of job action "a gesture of goodwill" after what the union described as "months of bargaining and escalating job actions" ranging from an overtime ban to refusing to wear uniforms.

Key issues include staffing shortages and high worker turnover.

The two sides have been negotiating since last November.

TransLink, Metro Vancouver's regional transit provider, has said that even if a strike goes ahead, service will continue for people needing rides to medical treatments for cancer and other illnesses.

Latest news

groups-urge-canada-to-block-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwats-entry
CanadaAug 13, 2026

Groups Urge Canada to Block RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Entry

Leaders of several Sikh, Muslim and human rights organizations in Canada are urging the federal government to prevent RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat from entering the country. During a press conference in Ottawa, representatives of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, World Sikh Organization of Canada, Hindus for Human Rights and Justice for All Canada called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to declare Bhagwat inadmissible to Canada. New Democratic Party MP Heather McPherson also supported the demand, saying the Canadian government is moving in the wrong direction by allegedly givin
shots-fired-in-surreys-newton-neighbourhood-under-investigation
BCAug 13, 2026

Shots Fired in Surrey’s Newton Neighbourhood Under Investigation

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating a shots-fired incident in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood. Police were called at around 10:34 a.m. on August 12 after a homeowner near 76 Avenue and 124 Street reported finding what appeared to be gunshot damage to an outbuilding on the property. Frontline officers arrived minutes later and confirmed that the exterior damage had been caused by gunfire. No one was injured in the incident. Police say it is currently unknown whether the shooting was related to extortion. SPS is asking anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and witne
CanadaAug 13, 2026

Ontario Government Introduces Strict New Framework for Data Centres

The Ontario government has announced a new, stricter policy for data centres as demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure continues to grow rapidly. Under the new framework, new data centres in the province will be required to pay 100 per cent of their electricity costs, while the government will not provide cash incentives to attract these projects. Premier Doug Ford’s government introduced the framework at a time when several Ontario municipalities, including Toronto and Hamilton, had been calling on the province for clearer guidelines to manage the rapid expansion of data cen
b-c-dog-owner-charged-after-woman-suffers-life-altering-injuries-in-mauling
BCAug 13, 2026

B.C. Dog Owner Charged After Woman Suffers ‘Life-Altering’ Injuries in Mauling

A dog owner in Port Moody, B.C., has been criminally charged after two large dogs allegedly mauled a woman, leaving her with serious and potentially life-altering injuries. Police were called to the Metro Vancouver community on May 20 following reports that a woman had been seriously injured in a dog attack. She was taken to hospital for treatment. While police have not released details about the full extent of her injuries, they have described them as “serious” and “life-altering.” Investigators say the two dogs had already been deemed aggressive by city officials before the incident.
conservative-leader-pierre-poilievre-attacks-carney-over-gdp-growth
BCAug 13, 2026

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Attacks Carney Over GDP Growth

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Mark Carney over the latest GDP growth figures, accusing his government of leaving Canada with the worst-performing economy in the G7. Poiliev argued that one quarter of economic growth does not change what he described as Canada’s broader economic challenges under Carney’s leadership. He claimed Canada now has the lowest growth rate in the G7, the highest food inflation, the highest debt levels and the second-highest unemployment rate among G7 countries. The Conservative leader also alleged that inves

Related News