Union representing transit workers hoping to end issues workers face

With the new provincial government, the union representing transit workers is hoping to hit the road when it comes to resolving some issues workers face.

A quick look outside of the Winnipeg Transit Fort Rouge garage shows millions of dollars committed to new transit projects, but what’s missing according to ATU Local 1505 are firm commitments to bolster funding for staffing.

Chris Scott, President Business Agent, ATU Local 1505 “We want to see any increase in funding specifically earmarked for operators or even the tradespeople who are leaving in droves as well,“ said Chris Scott, President Business Agent of the ATU Local 1505.

“Without investing in the people providing the service or the actual service itself the public sees, it’ll be for nothing.”

While ridership on Winnipeg transit is rising, with levels over 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, the city continues to struggle with staffing.

According to the City of Winnipeg, the city is short 95 operators to run their full fall schedule, with a total of 897 bus operators currently on the job.

“Based on my conversations with the ATU over the past several months making our busses safer for operators is going to be key to recruiting and retaining operators,” said Scott Gillingham, Mayor of Winnipeg.

While the transit union applauds the city’s move to hire Robert Chrismas to lead the city’s new Community Safety Team, which is expected to focus on transit, they say safety issues will not be resolved without consistent funding.

“There needs to be also a commitment from the province or the city for ongoing funding for that. People when they’re mad that their bus doesn’t show up on time, they’ll take it out on the first person they see, which is usually the operator,” said Scott. 

The transit union is looking for a 50-50 joint funding agreement between the province and the city to pay for operating costs, which was ended under the PCs, to return under the new government.

Gillingham says he hasn’t heard yet from the province regarding the 50-50 funding model’s return, but some say regardless of whether it makes a comeback, the city needs to make tough decisions in order to fund transit properly.

“As mayor, I want to work with the provincial government to establish a new funding model for the City of Winnipeg because what we have right now is, we don’t have long-term predictable funding for anything including for transit,” said Gillingham.     

CityNews reached out to Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Lisa Naylor for an interview but she was unable to participate prior to broadcast time.

The union is also asking for better safety shields for operators.

The city says they are showcasing two models of potential safety shields extensions for operators to review and provide feedback.