Unionized HandyDart workers have overwhelmingly rejected a final offer by employer MVT Canadian Bus Inc. to end the custom transit strike that began Monday.

Workers voted 409-24 against the proposal, according to officials with local 1724 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

"MVT is disappointed by the rejection of this comprehensive offer," said company operations vice-president John Siragusa.

He apologized to the disabled and elderly users of HandyDart for the inconvenience.

Talks resumed Monday after the union re-tabled its previous demand.

ATU negotiator and longtime driver Tyler Felbel said the company is to blame for the lack of progress last week because it opted to force a final offer vote.

"They held up negotiations by forcing an offer they should have known would be rejected," he said.

The walkout that began Oct. 26 has stranded most users of TransLink's door-to-door transit service.

Roughly 12 per cent of trips have been declared essential and continue to take patients to hospitals for renal dialysis or cancer treatment.

Some HandyDart users are trying to use regular transit, causing some boarding delays at stops for buses and community shuttles.

The main sticking point in the labour dispute involves the company's proposed shift away from municipal pension plans to a system of RRSP contributions.

The union also contends proposed cuts in benefits for part-time or casual staff will make it more profitable for the company to axe full-time jobs, a scenario that could lead to more staff turnover and fewer experienced long-term employees.

"We believe the vast majority of passengers support us," Felbel said.

MVT, the subsidiary of a U.S. parent firm, took over HandyDart service earlier this year, replacing several different service providers, after winning a new $113-million three-year contract from TransLink.

Drivers have been paid between $17.47 and $20.25.

MVT has offered to raise that to $21.25 effective Jan. 1.

The union has asked for $25.35 and notes that most regular bus drivers are paid $28.35 an hour.