A Dynamic Time, A Dynamic Workplace

“The more things change, the more they’re the same” goes an old saying. “The only thing permanent is change” says another. I’m personally with the latter in these amazing times. Change is everywhere. I hope you’re all well and your families likewise. Here are some updates:

Transit Fleet Maintenance:

• Cleaners are overworked, exhausted and in need of help, despite the addition of redeployed Cleaners from other areas of the City.
• Because of the heavy overload of work in this area and the complicated logistics of redeploying even more City workers, Fleet has asked the Union to allow the use of contract workers to supplement the weekend cleaning of buses.
• The Union has agreed that the 1^st priority is getting the fleet clean every single day and allowed limited use of contract workers if ATU workers are unavailable even on OT.
• There is a clear limit to their use of contract workers of Sunday March 29. Any further use will require agreement from the Union and there will need to be a clear operational need.
• Redeployment: any of us may be subject to redeployment. Not just Fleet, but particularly Fleet. If your work area is slow and the System needs your expertise at a different place, you may be asked to move.
• The City has agreed to keep your hours of work the same.

Red Deer:

• I’m sad to report that the first layoffs have been issued: 8 casual Operators. I hear from Locals across the country and I have not heard of any layoffs until now. Tomorrow morning, I have to report this unhappy first to our ATU Canada Colleagues.
• Service is reduced, hours are reduced, but aside from the reported layoffs, everyone is whole.
• Today, the Union and the City signed a Letter of Understanding to allow rotational shifts that will give everybody a break. Congrats to Bob Relkov for getting this initiative going.

St. Albert:

• Imaginative solutions are at play to solve the problem of transporting relief Operators to their relief points. 3 or 4 in a car is not acceptable and it has stopped thanks to the efforts of Local Rep Darlene Malayko and Inspector Tony Jenkner for getting this done.
• Cleaning & disinfecting is a high priority and buses are cleaned every day.
• No layoffs, but not everybody got a shift on the new bid.

DATS:

• Local Rep Daryn Kreutzer is on top of issues and there are many
• Daryn is keeping the Union’s primary goals of protecting members and their families safe and keeping the paycheques whole.

ETS Main:

• The COVID signup is now complete. Thanks to all the people who made this happen and to all of the Operators who jumped into the process to help make the system work.
• Some Operators are redeployed to help with recycling of buses at some Divisions
• Regarding rear-door boarding, Operators are expected to enforce this except where a passenger needs the ramp to board or disembark. Please follow this protocol.
• Increased challenges are being experienced at LRT, where there are more than the usual occurrence of needles and other drug related apparatus. The Union and Management will consult on this further tomorrow.
• The City of Spruce Grove has cancelled its service until further notice.
• Ridership on the Bus Side is down by 70%, on LRT and DATS, by 85%
• Kinsmen Centre is opening for vulnerable citizens and a shuttle will be initiated to serve this venue. The same rules will apply as for the Northlands venue: full blockade of the drivers’ area and centre door boarding and exiting only. Social Worker on board and TPO following or on board.

That’s it for tonight. Please take care of yourselves. Your families depend on it. Take all of the precautions seriously. You are the captain of your ship: if it’s not safe, make it safe. If you can’t make it safe, don’t do it.

Be Safe, Be Healthy, Be Apart

In Solidarity,

Steve Bradshaw,
President/Business Agent