hang on come on sweetheart job action includes cutting handy Dart service down to essential rides only making it tough for people like 66-year-old Beth mckel 25 years ago I had a C5 C6 disc herniation with cord compression it left me paralyzed from the neck down until I had emergency surgery McKeller regained some movement and uses a walker but needs help getting from door to door during the handy Dart strike taxes are being used to take people who are on dialysis MS treatment or require chemotherapy but Maller doesn't qualify and has been relying on Friends they're more than happy to help out but it just really sucks handy Dart workers have been on strike since September 3rd it's translink's door-to-door shared ride service for people who are unable to use conventional public transit without help Transit funds transdev the multinational company based in France that provides handy Dart Services the battle between The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 and transdev revolves around pay last night we exchanged proposals with the mediator um and we're waiting a response from uh the company on Thursday uh we're ready to bargain around the clock but uh I guess trans feels no urgency at the moment the union argues low wages makes it hard to attract and retain employees it says its members don't make as much as others working similar roles elsewhere in Canada in a statement transdev says as previously scheduled the parties will continue mediated talks on September 12th where transdev will provide a reply to the Union's latest proposal and we also believe that a fair contract must balance the needs of our employees handydart clients and taxpayers transa says its final offer before the strike began included a 19.2 pay increase by January 202 6 transdev says its final offer before the strike began included a 19.2 pay increase by January 20126 the union plans to hold a rally in front of translink's office in New Westminster on Tuesday Morning Mira Baines CBC News Vancouver