ATU Canada Fights for Washroom Access for Transit Operators in Ontario ATU Canada is decrying the new washroom access mandate in Ontario for delivery workers from the Ford government, saying that it should also include transit operators. The mandate covers a large breadth of delivery workers and transport drivers, including truck drivers, couriers, food delivery workers, and Canada Post delivery employees but leaves out essential transit workers. “There is no reason why transit workers should have been left out of this legislation,” said ATU Canada President John Di Nino. “Access to bathrooms is a health and safety problem for all those in the transport sector, and our union has been leading the fight for years, so this announcement, as well as the lack of consultation, comes as a slap in the face.”
operators, those with medical conditions of the bladder or bowels, and for people taking diuretic medication. A 2011 study published in Neurology and Urodynamics revealed that driving with an extreme urge to use the bathroom affects attention and thinking – equal to that of staying awake for 24 hours or a .05% blood alcohol content, close to the legal limit. As the legislation moves forward, ATU Canada will continue to steadfastly fight to ensure that transit workers in Ontario are included in this vital piece of legislation and secure their dignity on the job. v
Access to bathrooms is a health and safety problem for all those in the transport sector, and the ATU has been leading the fight for years in both Canada and the U.S. For years, transit operators have avoided drinking water during the workday, relieved themselves into bottles or on the street, and even soiled themselves in the line of duty. The problem is especially prevalent for pregnant and older
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July - August - September 2021 | IN TRANSIT
