
One year after driver’s death, little change: Winnipeg Local
Feb 20
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The Dark Side of The Gig Economy
Feb 15
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A year ago a fella driver was killed on the line of duty first time in Canada History with all due respect and prayers for the family back in those days this is what it was read back on those days:
Transit operator Irvine Fraser, 58, died after stabbing on University of Manitoba campus
While the death might be a first, assaults happen all the time on transit buses, said the AmalgamatedTransit Union (ATU).
Most are the result of a fare dispute, but an alarming number happen just because someone wants to do violence to a bus driver,” ATU international president Larry Hanley said in a statement.
“ATU demands that transit agencies and government officials bring the same sense of regret that they will display in the public mourning of this tragic, unnecessary death of our brother, to the ongoing discussion about preventing these attacks from occurring.”
John Callahan, ATU Local 1505 president in Winnipeg, said he was speechless when he found out about the death early Tuesday morning.
“It’s the scenario we always dreaded and it actually happened,” he said. “It was very sobering to say the least.”
Winnipeg has been taking steps in the right direction to increase driver safety but clearly it is not enough, Callahan said. Drivers face a lot of abuse on the job because “they are frontline … an easy target,” he said.
“This is just a guy doing his job and you should not end up dead at the end of your shift,” he said. “It’s tragic and we need to really have dialogue on things that can be done to protect these working men and women.”
Callahan said he has plans to speak with officials at the city about solutions including shields and other bus redesigns. But he said there’s no doubt in his mind that “we need dedicated transit police.”
Maryland bill would make assaulting a transit operator a felony
Jan 30
Posted by Hugo Paz in Personal observations, Safety and health related., Union related. | Comments off
Transit worker assault is a growing epidemic across North America. In Maryland, one state legislator is taking action as attacks on DC-area bus operators went up in 2017. Del. Angela M. Angel has proposed a new bill to increase the penalty for attacking a transit operator to a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. “House Bill 28 will give the same protections to transit workers that are already extended to law enforcement and emergency responders,” says Local 689-Washington, DC. “We understand that transit worker assaults are not only a danger to the workers, but also to the riding public, who are also placed in harm’s way when these incidents occur.”

Winnipeg Local blames province for proposed transit cuts

AC Transit drivers push for more protection after shooting

Connecticut Locals join with allies to demand state address transit funding shortfall
Denver Local calls for better protection in wake of gunfire
Jan 15
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A Local 113-Toronto, ON, bus driver goes above & beyond
Jan 15
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Cincinnati Local says agency unloading unused bus parts

Milwaukee bus driver helps woman in labor

Stay Warm on The Job in Freezing Cold!
Jan 10
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Twin Cities Local rallies as negotiations continue to avert Super Bowl strike
Dec 15
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Local 1493 members ratify contract

ATU Labor leaders confront sexual harassment

ATU condemns NYC Port Authority bombing, says public transit security critical
Dec 15
Posted by Hugo Paz in Safety and health related., Union related. | Comments off
“The bombing at the NYC Port Authority is the latest example of a vicious, senseless attack on innocent people that is becoming much too common in our country,” said International President Larry Hanley. “This terrorist attack serves as a reminder of how vulnerable mass transit systems are and the critical importance of security on our transit systems.” Hanley pointed out that transit stations like the NYC Port Authority are big open spaces that are difficult to secure making them prime targets for terrorist attacks. “I urge our transit agencies, operators and passengers to continue to be vigilant and watchful for anything of a suspicious nature on our systems, as we work together to defeat terrorism in the United States, Canada and the world.”
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Chattanooga Transit Workers Rally Against Forced OT and Discrimination
Dec 8
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