Transit workers face a high risk on the job, especially during challenging times like a pandemic, and there is a concern that they are not always fairly compensated for the increased risk they undertake. The concern revolves around working conditions and safety, as there is a prevailing sentiment that the current management is not adequately addressing or taking seriously the employees' apprehensions in these areas. Adding to that, no benefit increases. As a result, the Union will be initiating a series of job actions to voice their concerns and advocate for improved compensation.
The initial step in this series of actions will involve a ban on voluntary overtime (OT). This is intended to send a clear message about the urgency and seriousness of the members' concerns. As the media has made the public aware, transit functions on a large portion of voluntary overtime, as the fleet is missing around 5% of operators to fully restore services to pre-pandemic levels. The high demand for overtime has caused undue stress on members and electing to end all voluntary overtime will send a clear message that the Union intends to bargain a fair deal.
