Safety concerns spur Winnipeg bus drivers to consider quitting, retiring: union
'Steak knives should not be on a bus,' says John Callahan, citing recent incident
The head of the union representing Winnipeg Transit workers says drivers are thinking about quitting or retiring out of concern for their personal safety.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 president John Callahan said drivers are fearful following the slaying of Irvine Jubal Fraser in February. Fraser was killed after he checked on the well-being of a passenger.
Speaking to reporters at city hall, Callahan said there remains a lot of concern among drivers.
"They're feeling isolated. There's a lot of apprehension out there," Callahan said following a meeting of council's executive policy committee.
"They're checking their time to see if they're eligible for retirement, if possible. Others are getting their resumes ready to move on.
"I'm not just talking here. I'm absolutely serious about this."
Callahan said while the number of safety incidents on transit buses does not appear to be increasing, the severity of recent incidents has prompted actions like married drivers using their down time to ride along with a spouse who also works for Winnipeg Transit.
He said one incident that took place over the weekend was so serious, he couldn't divulge details about it because he feared there could be copycat incidents.
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Last week, council's public works committee asked city staff to study ways to improve transit safety and report back within three months. Callahan said at the time there are measures the city could take immediately and suggested freeing up drivers from the responsibility to mediate fare disputes.
"When there's an issue on a bus, there has to be a protocol that has to be followed. It can't be discretionary. It has to be followed to the T," he said, citing the presence of steak knives on a bus as an example.
"You don't wait until they start flailing the steak knives around. Steak knives should not be on a bus, unless they're packaged as a consumer good. But not in somebody's pocket."
Callahan has also mused about the need for a dedicated transit security force or police presence. The potential cost of the added security has not been made public.
Mayor Brian Bowman said he's open to the idea of spending more money on transit safety, but wants to see the report from the city first in order to cost out the options.
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