Bus drivers union meets with Winnipeg Transit officials ahead of safety report

The president of the union for Winnipeg's transit operators hopes concerns about the safety of bus drivers have finally been heard after a meeting with Winnipeg Transit officials.

"I hope we are not too late," said John Callahan, president of the local branch of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

On Tuesday, Callahan had a meeting with Dave Wardrop, the city's chief transportation and utilities officer; Greg Ewankiw, Winnipeg Transit acting director; and Randy Tonnellier, acting manager of operations at Winnipeg Transit.

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The day before, Callahan said that Winnipeg Transit staff did not consult with him or his members in an upcoming transit safety report.

"We had a discussion about the upcoming report," Callahan said.

"My feeling was a lack of consultation with the union. We have 1,020 experts. The operators are the front-line people who are out there doing the job. They know the issues."

During Tuesday's meeting, which was called by Marty Morantz, chair of the city's public works committee, Callahan and the Transit officials spoke about different ways to make the buses safer for passengers and drivers. Callahan specifically pointed to a dedicated transit police force.

Earlier in the day, city council's unofficial opposition also demanded the creation of a transit security force to improve safety and relieve drivers of the responsibility to enforce the payment of fares.

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The six councillors — Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert), Ross Eadie (Mynarski), Shawn Dobson (St. Charles), Jason Schreyer (East Kildonan) and Russ Wyatt (Transcona) — issued a joint statement expressing concern about the city's response to the Valentine's Day killing of Winnipeg Transit driver Irvine Jubal Fraser.

Callahan said after the meeting he is starting to feel like his concerns are being heard and included in the report due before council's public works committee on May 30.

"I hope the conversation we had today and the recommendation from the other — that plays into their decision making," he said. 

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