LOCALS CONTINUE FIGHT ON FRONTLINES OF THE PANDEMIC While many people are getting vaccinated for COVID-19, the more contagious Delta variant is hitting many communities hard, and in Canada, the pandemic is raging on. ATU Locals across North America continue to fight for better safety, hazard pay, passenger limits, and other protections. Transit agencies also are attempting to cut wages and other austerity measures. But, with the help of the International, our Locals and members are fighting back. Here are some of their stories. Please visit ATU social media and www.atu.org for more updated stories.
“It’s prevalent and dangerous. As frontline workers, we’re subjected to it every day.” RFTA, which has been awarded millions in relief from the federal government, claims paying hazard pay isn’t that easy, and it won’t be retroactive. Last year out of respect for the financial burden on RFTA caused by the pandemic, the Local didn’t ask for hazard pay but believes now is the time to compensate drivers for their sacrifice and bravery on the job. “It should be a bonus or a reward for drivers who risked everything to keep the buses going,” said Cortez. Noting that the pandemic isn’t over, Cortez says while some have been vaccinated, his members “aren’t out of the woods yet.”
Aspen Local demands hazard pay As Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) workers continue to risk their lives to move their communities during the pandemic, Local 1774-Aspen, CO, is demanding hazard pay from their transit agency. “A lot of people don’t realize the dangerous situation drivers have been in over the last year,” said Local President Ed Cortez.
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April - May - June 2021 | IN TRANSIT
Halifax Local calls on the City to step up COVID-19 precautions as cases rise After a confirmed case of a Local 508-Halifax, NS, bus operator contracting COVID-19, Local President Ken Wilson is demanding Halifax Transit better protect workers and riders from exposure to the virus. The driver tested positive while the bus she was driving continued to be on the road without being sanitized. “It went back out during rush hour without being deep cleaned,” said Wilson. “It was apparently a mistaken number, and they grabbed the wrong bus.” There are now three buses in question because of the close contact the COVID-19 positive driver had with two other operators. Wilson and the Local have been demanding rear door boarding, suspended fares, passenger limits, and rapid on-site testing to avoid further infections.
