Union, Federation of Labour say violence against Saskatoon Transit workers 'out of control'
By: Saskatoon StarPhoenix (April 23, 2024 - 5:00am)
Violence against transit workers in Saskatoon is “out of control,” and Saskatoon Transit is failing to adequately respond, the local union and Saskatchewan Federation of Labour say.
According to Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 615 and the SFL, assaults happen almost daily. The unions said silence from the City of Saskatoon’s transit administration speaks loudly.
“Transit agencies just don’t care about frontline workers as it appears they believe that violence is an occupational hazard, which is far from the truth,” ATU Local 615 president Darcy Pederson said.
The groups said assaults are getting more violent and are not just against transit operators — bus riders are also routinely victimized.
They say violence is escalating in Saskatoon, which has had eight homicides already in 2024. With assaults and other violent incidents happening daily, similar “troubling situations or individuals make their way onto our transit system,” the groups said.
In recent months there has been a rise violence against transit workers, ranging from being spat on to sprayed with bear spray to being punched and kicked, they added.
ATU Canada president John DiNino said the national organization is “extremely concerned” with what it says is a lack of response from transit officials, “when, in fact, the issue should be front and centre.”
ATU Canada said driver safety barrier serve as a deterrent but don’t go far enough. The ATU would like a national taskforce to examine transit violence.
ATU Canada is calling for Saskatoon Transit “to step up to the plate” and implement immediate measures, including stronger enforcement of the criminal code, mental health and addictions support, and increased visibility of enforcement officers.
“This is a complex issue that requires multi-levels of stakeholders to come together and establish best practices to minimize worker and rider exposure,” Di Nino said.
“We understand that we cannot eliminate all acts of violence, but we ask the employers to take every reasonable precaution and practice to keep workers and riders safe.”
SFL president Lori Johb said everyone deserves a safe workplace free from violence and intimidation.
Transit management acknowledged in an emailed statement that there has recently been “a number of negative interactions” on buses. Such incidents are taken “very seriously” and processes are in place to support employees after incidents occur, the statement said.
It listed several initiatives underway to improve safety for employees and riders, including the addition of community support officers on some higher-incident routes set to start July 1.
Commissionaires have also been employed to patrol the downtown bus mall, and patrols were adjusted and increased last week to line up with bus arrivals. Commissionaires are also expected to be added at the Market Mall and Confederation Mall terminals.
“An increase in negative incidents on public transit is a Canada-wide issue. Saskatoon Transit will participate in a national strategy coordinated by the Canadian Urban Transit Association on a new training program designed to assist Operators in difficult situations,” the statement added.