TWO TRANSIT OPERATORS ASSAULTED NEAR TRANSIT GARAGE - ATU CALLS ON CITY TO TAKE ACTION 

WINNIPEG, August 15, 2022 – On August 13, 2022, at approximately 4:45 a.m., two male Transit operators, off duty and in uniform, were assaulted while in the parking lot near the Fort Rouge Transit Garage – and this raises significant safety concerns for Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1505.

One operator was sitting in his personal vehicle when an assailant broke the driver’s side window, unprovoked.  Another operator who was on his way to work came to help but was also assaulted by the assailant. 

“It is bad enough that our operators are being assaulted while at work – on our buses and in the streets and bus shelters.  Now, we can’t even feel safe around the property,” said ATU Local 1505 President, Romeo Ignacio. “Our members, especially our female operators, are afraid and concerned about walking around the property particularly early in the morning and late at night.”

“We are calling on the City to do something to protect its employees and address the escalating violence towards transit workers, riders, and the general public,” Ignacio continued.

“We just want to feel safe at work and in our streets. I don’t think that is an unreasonable ask.”

ATU is calling on City to act immediately and address the rise in violent acts and take action to protect all citizens of Winnipeg.   

--30--