PRESS RELEASE - JANUARY 25, 2023

WINNIPEG TRANSIT UNION SUPPORTS ATU CANADA’S CALL FOR A NATIONAL TRANSIT TASK FORCE AMIDST ESCALATING VIOLENCE

WINNIPEG, January 25, 2023 – Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Canada is calling for the immediate implementation of a National Transit Task Force to combat rising violence on transit workers and passengers – ATU Local 1505 is in full support of this initiative, especially after (3) three separate assaults on (3) three separate operators took place just last evening on route 14.

“Just last night, one of our operators had snowballs thrown at them by two youths, one had food thrown at them by six youths, and one had a female passenger reach around the shield and hit the operator who then had to escape to safety through the driver’s window and call for help from their cell phone.” Explained Chris Scott, President of ATU Local 1505.

“The escalating instances of violence against transit workers and passengers is truly alarming.” Continued Scott. “We fully agree with the initiative brought forward by ATU Canada; We need immediate action right now from all levels of government.” 

“There needs to be increased enforcement to Bill S-221, an enactment that “amends the Criminal Code to require a court to consider the fact the victim of an assault is a public transit operator to be an aggravating circumstance for the purpose of sentencing.”” Stated Scott. “Put plainly, there needs to be harsher sentencing for assaults against transit workers, but really, the assaults need to be prevented in the first place.”

“We stand united in the call for a safe work environment for transit workers and a safe transportation for our passengers.” Said Scott.

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