OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION|AFL-CIO/CLC

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017

Exposing safety culture neglect in public transit INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS LAWRENCE J. HANLEY International President JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR. International Executive Vice President NEWSBRIEFS OSCAR OWENS International Secretary-Treasurer INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS RICHARD M. MURPHY Newburyport, MA – [email protected] JANIS M. BORCHARDT Madison, WI – [email protected] PAUL BOWEN Canton, MI – [email protected] KENNETH R. KIRK Lancaster, TX – [email protected] MARCELLUS BARNES Flossmore, IL – [email protected] RAY RIVERA Lilburn, GA – [email protected] YVETTE TRUJILLO Thornton, CO – [email protected] GARY JOHNSON, SR. Cleveland, OH – [email protected] ROBIN WEST JIC Locals gather for collaborative training Halifax, NS – [email protected] More than 30 Locals from across the U.S. and Canada gathered at the Tommy Douglas Conference JOHN COSTA Center for an innovative Joint Industry Council training. The attendees heard from experts and staff Kenilworth, NJ – [email protected] on the new realities of bargaining and campaigning against large, deep-pocketed multinational CHUCK WATSON employers. The training included a comprehensive understanding of the RFP process, a breakdown Syracuse, NY – [email protected] of the revenue agreement, negotiations, strategies for building strength within our Locals, and CLAUDIA HUDSON Oakland, CA – [email protected] planning for organizing campaigns. The Locals also exchanged ideas and experiences in dealing with these companies that will change our strategic approach for bargaining contracts. BRUCE HAMILTON New York, NY – [email protected] MICHELLE SOMMERS NY voters reject ballot proposal Brooklyn Park, MN – [email protected] on constitutional convention JAMES LINDSAY ATU Locals across the state of New York joined organized labor and Santa Clarita, CA – [email protected] allies across the state to declare victory as voters on November 7 EMANUELE (MANNY) SFORZA Toronto, ON – [email protected] soundly rejected the anti-worker ballot proposal to hold a constitutional JOHN CALLAHAN convention to amend the state’s constitution. The Locals waged an Winnipeg, MB – [email protected] aggressive campaign against the proposal which would have put important labor protections, pensions and other rights for New York workers on the chopping block. INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES DENNIS ANTONELLIS Spokane, WA – [email protected] INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS STEPHAN MACDOUGALL Boston, MA – [email protected] International President Jim La Sala, ret. ANTHONY GARLAND International President Warren George, ret. Washington, DC – [email protected] ANTONETTE BRYANT International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret. Oakland, CA – [email protected] International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, ret. SESIL RUBAIN New Carrollton, MD – [email protected] Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the CURTIS HOWARD Amalgamated Transit Union, Editor: Shawn Perry, Designer: Paul A. Fitzgerald. Editorial Office: 10000 New Hampshire Atlanta, GA – [email protected] Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903. Tel: 1-301-431-7100 . Please send all requests for address changes to the ATU Registry Dept. ISSN: 0019-3291. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361.RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ATU CANADA CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: APC Postal Logistics, LLC, PO Box 503, RPO, West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill ON L4B 4R6. PAUL THORP Brampton, ON – [email protected] IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 3 SEPT/OCT 2017 CONTENT Vol. 126, No. 5

11 Workstation Initiative Phase II: Power tool and machine hazards, top list of maintenance worker safety concerns 12 38-year old OC Transpo bus operator starts on college basketball team BART fine confirms management culpability in 2013 track worker deaths 13 Small businesses launch SOS for Metro 9 Report urges TransLink to run HandyDART WORKSTATION INITIATIVE PHASE II: ATU SAFETY as a public service ‘SWAT’ TEAMS, LOCALS TO PERFORM SAFETY AUDITS 14 ATU applauds introduction of Driver Fatigue Prevention Act 20 Regina Local sets course for city’s safe workplaces 21 Erie woman credits EMTA bus driver with saving her life St. Paul man honors mother with bus farewell tour 22 Local 583 member, longest serving City of FIGHTING FOR WORKERS 15 Calgary employee, dies at 80 YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW Kelowna, BC, Local pushes for better protections for operators 2 International Officers & General Executive Board 23 Connecticut Locals rally for safer workstations News Briefs 24 All-door bus boarding could improve safety and service 3 Index Page 25 Bus operator shortages concern Cincinnati 4 Canadian Agenda: Canadians to benefit and Guelph Locals from more sustainable transit options 26 Winnipeg Local warns that re-opening 5 International President’s Message: intersection dangerous for pedestrians Time to speak up! Peterborough Local ratifies strong contract 6 International Executive Vice President’s Message: ‘High tech’ needs ‘high touch’ to 27 Guelph, ON, transit workers ratify be successful strong contract 7 International Secretary-Treasurer’s CLC takes on mental health in the workplace Message: Reports of unions’ demise have 28 Translations (French) been greatly exaggerated 31 In Memoriam 8 ATU Canada & allies rally to demand transit be kept in public hands 32 Stay connected for a chance to win an ATU jacket Local 113 demands safety audits 10 Workstation Initiative Phase II: Station attendant issues to be examined during safety audits

IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 3 Canadian Agenda Canadians to benefit from more sustainable transit options

Manitoba and the Canadian government are investing in The projects announced will support the growth of Toronto’s public infrastructure to ensure Manitobans have modern public transit system while other improvements will make and reliable transit systems that meet local needs and lay getting across the city easier, faster and safer for transit riders. the foundation for sustainable economic growth. Union Station will see many improvements, including signage and wayfinding, lighting and security.

Manitoba to receive $21.6 million These investments are part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. for transit Amarjeet Sohi, minister of infrastructure and communities and a member of Local 569-Edmonton, AB, joined Jeff Quick facts Wharton, minister of municipal relations and mayor of Winnipeg, to announce federal-provincial funding of more • The Government of Canada will invest more than than $21.6 million for five public transit projects. $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade “The Government of Canada is making strategic and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and infrastructure investments to improve Manitobans’ quality northern communities. of life while supporting economic development and middle • $25.3 billion of this funding will support public class job creation,” said Sohi in pointing out that the funding transit projects, including $5 billion that will will increase the safety and efficiency of the transit networks be available for investment through the Canada people rely on daily. Infrastructure Bank. Over the next 12 years the Canadian government will invest • The Government of Ontario is making the largest $25.3 billion in funding to support public transit projects, infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, including $5 billion that will be available for investment public transit, roads and bridges, and water and through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. wastewater infrastructure in the province’s history – more than $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014–15. To learn more Canadian government, Ontario invest about what’s happening in your community, go to in public transit Ontario.ca/BuildOn. The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced • Since 2004, the Government of Ontario has approval of 11 new projects that will benefit Toronto under committed more than $3.7 billion to municipalities the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). The federal across the province through the provincial gas government is providing more than $30 million, and the tax program. This funding supports municipal City of Toronto will provide the balance of funding. transit systems. v

4 September/October 2017 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 5 LARRY HANLEY, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

Time to Speak Up!

My thanks go out to all the Local Unions working through Fighting privatization the Workstation Initiative resolution to get our industry to We are running well-oiled campaigns to challenge efforts to produce a safer, healthier, more secure bus driver workstation. privatize transit in Ontario, and Washington, DC. In this issue, we resume our efforts to bring attention to the safety issues of other ATU workers, as well. Let me be clear. Privatization is about lower wages, no pensions, less health care and inferior transit. We at the International can help Locals that want to fight, but Local officers must involve their members in the fight in order to win. And, also, if members don’t engage riders, it’s a lot harder to win.

Working people need to remember that it’s not just in paying dues that we strengthen our Union. It’s in building our presence in the community, and getting riders to actively support us that these fights are won.

If you, like me, are sick of politicians of both parties selling you out, there is something you can do. As we continue to pursue OSHA standards for our public sector members, we remember Jake Schwab, 568-Erie, PA, The United States of America cannot pay its bills, but we are killed at his workstation – a bus repair facility in Erie. about to cut taxes for the richest class of people ever to live on this earth. There is something you can do. We will examine the issues that concern our maintenance, station agent, and other ATU members, not just to uncover problems, but to find solutions. Time to fight back Safety surveys have gone out to all of our Locals and we You can fight back. Start by putting your faith in your would love to get feedback from you. Just send an email to fellow workers, not the politicians. Go to your union [email protected]. Tell us how your job could be meeting. Formulate a plan to get your riders on our side. made safer. We share the same problems: high fares, cuts in service, lack of funding for our systems, bad schedules, safety problems, International safety team gearing up bugs on buses, and more. In the meantime, the International is offering to send a Our riders are already with us. We just need to ask them safety team to Local Unions in January to determine the to speak up. That starts now, as you read this column. threats to safety in their buses and garages, and to pursue I’m asking you …and you …and you …and you – to solutions to those problems. We are training a team now. speak up! v Our plan is to make this job safer – one member and one work area at a time.

IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 5 JAVIER PEREZ, JR., INTERNATIONAL EXEC. VICE PRESIDENT

‘High tech’ needs ‘high touch’ to be successful

I often write about the “world of work” and how technology Locals (members) working together to elect a new governor, is changing our workplace. We have experienced the “Wow! to support a transit referendum, engage in a street car debate, factor” in how we communicate. High tech has brought or experiment with web streaming a membership meeting or us mobile phones, pods and pads, which we use for email, holding telephone town halls, or retaining a high density of surfing the Internet, social media, banking, photos, and an membership in a state that recently passed “right-to-work” endless variety of Apps to enhance our lives. Oh, yes, we still legislation - these Locals (members) are at the cusp of the next make phone calls too. “What will they think of next?” wave of union member-to-member mobilization. Rather than being that aimless cork in a sea of change, they have found High tech’s goal is to make us “smarter, faster, better.” Yet, focus. They are experimenting with ways to enhance member organizations struggle to harness this productivity promise. interaction and developing a shared cultural understanding of High tech is great at allowing us to collect programmable what needs to be done – and why. data (being smarter) and doing so faster. Yes, we have become better at this but, is that all there is? No! High tech Each Local has the opportunity to build upon the success for our Union has evolved from a back office function of of others by utilizing high touch member-to-member information gathering and dues processing to a means to engagement. It’s early yet but our ATU Workplace Initiative communicate. is showing signs of that sort of success.

When I ask members how they receive their information Be it discussion of the best design for the driver workplace, about the International or Locals, some say they visit the repair and design of driver seats, unrealistic schedules, International’s and their Local’s website. Some have signed training for mechanics, or the best ergonomic design for up for text messages. Others say robocalls and telephone office workers, members are talking to one another. Some town halls are the best way to reach them. And, there is still are setting up short-term committees to examine and act the Local bulletin board and newsletter, the ATU Dispatch upon questions raised by the initiative. and, of course, this magazine. It’s safe to say the norm is a combination of all the above. The question now is not what has the Union done for me lately, but rather how can I be part of making my, our work High tech is a means, not an end. High tech alone is useless. life, our workplace, better. High tech provides the means It’s the second half of the equation – “high touch,” – that to share our new and ongoing Union (member) building brings value to our workplaces. Absent high touch we are projects and chronicle our successes and failures. I encourage lost in “cyber drift.” It’s like a bulletin board that never gets all members to jump in, the water’s fine, get involved. There updated. Members stop looking at it. It’s a lack of focus, is not a more exciting time in your work life to be part of our an aimless cork floating in a sea of change. High tech makes movement. We are a Union that makes things happen, these communication possible, and that’s good, but it’s passive. are your good old days in the making. Stay in touch! v High touch makes it an active means of back and forth communication. Please visit www.atu.org for more information and the Evidence shows that, many of our Locals are starting to add latest ATU news. high touch to the high tech equation. Whether it’s a group of

6 September/October 2017 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 7 OSCAR OWENS, INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

Reports of unions’ demise have been greatly exaggerated

For as long as I can remember, I’ve seen reports about the You’ll soon hear news reports about a ruling that the U.S. “inevitable” demise of the labor movement. The claim Supreme Court is expected to hand down next year that has been repeated so often by well-funded anti-union will make “right-to-work” the law of the land. In other organizations that many assume it’s only a matter of time words, employees will not be required to join a union or, before unions die. even pay fees to cover the cost of representing them at union workplaces. They say that unions are outmoded because employers have evolved from the way they were in the bad old days. They say that the law now protects employees from being Collapse? Don’t believe it. abused by management. You’ll hear that this will lead to the eventual collapse of They tie union officers to organized crime by calling them unions in North America. Don’t believe it. “bosses,” and “thugs.” They say union members are “greedy featherbedders” who don’t deserve living wages. All of the oppression and violence visited upon union workers in the late 1800s, and early 1900s, couldn’t kill the labor movement, and nothing business or government can Stoked resentment do now will kill it. They stoke the resentment of non-union workers by saying The evidence bears this out: TheWashington Post recently union public employees get “Cadillac” health plans, and reported, “With the GOP running the White House blame them for government deficits simply because they and Congress, membership in federal unions is on the want a decent retirement. rise, fed by an administration and legislature that leaves the workforce anxious about budget cuts, layoffs and an They say businesses won’t survive if they are forced to erosion of civil service protections.” recognize a union, and justify eliminating unions by claiming that their members are paid more than “market” wages. I know that when workers in our countries come to the full realization that their livelihoods and the standard-of-living Basically, they blame unions for every economic ill of of their families are threatened, they will fight back with our nations. everything they’ve got. And they will be successful. You can count on it. We’re still fighting Personally acquainted, as I have been, with the character of our members for over 50 years, I know that my sisters and We’ve taken it on the chin, and seen the percentage of brothers will fight back strong, and fight back smart, to defend union membership drop in the U.S. Yet, after decades of and extend what ATU has achieved over the last 125 years. malicious attack, we’re still here, we’re still fighting, and still improving the lives of working families in North America. So, like Mark Twain, I can confidently say that reports of And our efforts have elevated the wages and working our death “have been greatly exaggerated.” I look forward conditions of non-union workers, as well. to fighting the good fight with all of you. v

IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 7 ATU Canada & allies rally to demand transit be kept in public hands

ATU Canada and Locals from across the Ontario joined with riders and transit allies in downtown Toronto to demand that Metrolinx immediately end its backwards policy of favouring private, for-profit corporations over local public transit agencies when selecting who should operate and maintain new transit builds in the province. The rally was the launch of a province-wide “Keep Transit Public” campaign, which includes a website (http://www. keeptransitpublic.ca/) and online petition. If private companies maintain public transit services, then the costs to taxpayers can be higher, wages can be lower, benefits can ATU Locals rally in Toronto be reduced and jobs can be lost. “Privatization is affecting all of us,” ATU Canada President private company. The Local collected over 6,000 petition Paul Thorp said. “Constituents across the province are signatures, which was key in the Hamilton City Council screaming for better transit. And what we are being given voting 10-2 to pass a motion to keep transit public. is not what we deserve.” Metrolinx is planning and building rapid transit across The campaign began in Hamilton, ON, with Local the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. These include 107-Hamilton launching an aggressive campaign to several light rail transit projects in Toronto, Hamilton and demand that Ontario’s transit planning arm, Metrolinx, Mississauga. ATU will be fighting to keep the operations hire the publicly-owned and operated Hamilton Street in local public transit agency control rather than private v Railway (HSR) to operate and maintain the new light companies. rail transit (LRT) system rather than contract it out to a

Local 113 demands safety audits

Local 113 member Shawn Bredin was on the job as a TTC In the wake of these latest assaults and mounting concerns bus driver in the early hours one September morning when about safety monitoring, Local 113 is calling on TTC to he experienced an awful kind of déjà vu. do more to protect the safety of workers and demanding an immediate safety audit of both public and restricted Bredin was coming out of the washroom at a station when areas of TTC stations throughout the city. someone attacked him with what he thought was homemade pepper spray, then struck him several times. “What will it take before the TTC makes worker safety a priority?” asks Local Financial Secretary Kevin Morton. Adding insult to injury, this was the second assault on “Our members deal with serious and dangerous threats Bredin in less than a month. In that first incident, the each day, and when it comes to worker safety, the TTC is attacker had thrown sticky liquid in his face. This time it falling short.” v burned, and left him temporarily blind. Unbelievably, in August 2016, Bredin was slashed in the stomach with a knife while on the job.

8 September/October 2017 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 25 Bus operator shortages concern Cincinnati and Guelph Locals

There are bus operator shortages in Cincinnati, OH, and At Guelph Transit, a number of factors, including Guelph, OH, which has led to concerns for the ATU operators off work due to injuries, are resulting in a Locals in both cities. challenge covering all of the available city transit shifts, says Local 1189-Guelph, ON.

While a recent realignment of routes seems to have been Operator fatigue a safety well received, there is some frustration over a lack of issue in Cincinnati drivers covering the “extra board” (part-time drivers who At Metro in Cincinnati, Local 627 says the operator cover for drivers who are injured, or taking vacations, shortage is leading to fatigued workers and unsafe rides. or sick days). And the Local says operators are receiving The transit agency disagrees. additional stress due to interaction with some members of the public frustrated with delays. The lack of drivers means some drivers are asked to work overtime, which has concerns for the Local. “Take it easy on the driver. We’re the ones out there trying to move the system along,” says Local President “Some of them enjoy making the money but a lot of them Andrew Cleary. say ‘Look, I’ve worked and I can’t do all of these hours. I don’t want to have an accident and I’m afraid Metro The Local, says the city should accept more feedback won’t stand behind them if they have an accident,’” said about possible adjustments to the routes directly from the Local President Troy Miller. operators, who are the frontlines.

At dispute is the interpretation of the rules in the drivers’ “Management is relying on their data more so than the contract. Metro says a driver who works overtime at night reality of the route. I have always said you need the can come in late the next day, with no penalty. The Local human factor in there,” said Cleary. v says that does not apply to all drivers.

Recently the Local sent an email to the transit board saying a driver was not allowed to claim fatigue after getting off work at 1:38 A.M. and then was forced back to work at 6:15 A.M.

This dispute has led to the Local filing a grievance about how the fatigue rules are interpreted. An arbitrator is expected to decide.

IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 25 Winnipeg Local warns that re-opening intersection dangerous for pedestrians

Allowing pedestrians into a dangerous intersection in Winnipeg will cause traffic delays and pose a safety hazard to pedestrians says Local 1505-Winnipeg, MB.

The millions of dollars proposed for the initiative could be better spent improving transit operations and other infrastructure needs, says Local President Aleem Chaudhary. “Opening the intersection is going to become a big hazard. We just don’t need it and it’s going to slow down traffic.”

While the intersection was closed in 1979, in an agreement with adjacent property owners to redirect pedestrians to the new underground mall, the Local believes concern over The Local expressed serious concern that the city released safety was one of the driving forces. the report on such short notice and without input from bus operators, pedestrians, and others who will be greatly “One of the main reasons (the intersection was blocked impacted. v off since 1979) is because it was a pedestrian hazard,” Chaudhary said.

Peterborough Local ratifies strong contract

The Local which represents 107 drivers and garage staff, was in a legal strike position and had been negotiating with the city for a new contract since the spring.

“It was a fair deal. It did address our concerns for safety,” says Local President Tyler Burns, adding that the pay increase brings the wages up to par with what other city workers are making. He also says most contracts are usually five years long, but other than that, this is a typical agreement.

The contract also increases health care benefits and support for injured workers. v Averting a possible strike, members of Local 1320- Peterborough, ON, overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new six-year contract. The city also approved the agreement.

26 September/October 2017 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 27 Guelph, ON, transit workers ratify strong contract

“During the negotiation process, we challenged ourselves to think outside the box to get a deal that was fair, and that would show great commitment from both parties,” said Local President Andy Cleary. Under the new contract all full-time and part-time transit workers will receive annual pay increases over the four- year contract, with 1.5% raises in 2018, 1.75% in 2019 and 2020, and 2% in 2021. The new agreement will start January 1, 2018. With ridership up 44 percent over the last year, the city will In 2014, the City of Guelph locked out Local 1189 continue to develop its transit services to meet the growing members, halting bus service for two weeks, leaving needs of the community. v riders stranded and workers mad. The latest contract negotiations went much more smoothly with the Local and city finalizing a strong contract for workers.

CLC takes on mental health in the workplace

A recent report found that one in five Canadians deals with a worker’s right to a psychologically safe and supportive a mental health illness every year and workplace stress can work environment. cause or exacerbate these problems. Several tools exist to help employers and unions ensure From staying on tight bus schedules to dealing with that workplaces foster mental health. The 2013 National angry and even drunk passengers to navigating a 40- Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety ton vehicle through traffic, transit workers know all too in the Workplace provides guidelines, tools and resources well that workplace stress can take a toll on mental and for promoting mental health and preventing psychological physical health. harm at work. v To deal with this growing problem the Canadian Labour Congress has launched an initiative to take on mental health issues in the workplace. The CLC campaign includes an online resource centre with tools and information for workers to get help. “Canada’s unions are committed to continuing to work with the government, employers and workers to address the systemic issues that create unhealthy work environments,” says CLC President Hassan Yussuff. “We have to work together to find solutions that create and maintain safe and healthy workplaces.” Unions have a long history of fighting to protect workers’ physical safety and well-being at work, they also support

IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 27 n’impliquent pas leurs membres dans ce combat, il sera À vous la parole difficile de le gagner. Et si les membres n’impliquent pas les Je désire remercier toutes les sections locales qui ont usagers, il sera encore plus difficile de le gagner. travaillé à la résolution visant à exiger de notre industrie Les travailleurs doivent se souvenir que ce n’est pas qu’elle produise des postes de travail plus sûrs, plus sains seulement en payant nos cotisations que nous renforçons et plus sécuritaires pour les chauffeurs d’autobus. Dans le notre syndicat. C’est grâce à notre présence dans la présent numéro, nous reprenons nos efforts pour attirer communauté et à l’obtention de l’appui de nos usagers que l’attention sur les autres travailleurs du SUT. nous gagnons ces batailles. Tout en continuant à suivre les normes de l’OSHA visant Si, comme moi, vous êtes fatigués de voir les politiciens des les membres du secteur public, nous nous remémorons deux partis vous laisser tomber, vous pouvez faire quelque Jake Schwab, membre de la section locale 568 – Erie, PA, chose. Les États-Unis n’arrivent pas à payer leurs factures, tué à son poste de travail, dans un service de réparation mais ils comptent réduire les impôts de la classe de gens les d’autobus situé à Erie. plus riches qui ont vécu sur cette terre. Vous pouvez faire En continuant d’examiner les emplois du personnel quelque chose. d’entretien, d’agent de station et d’autres emplois du SUT, nous cherchons non seulement à détecter les problèmes, mais à trouver également les solutions. Il est temps de riposter

Des sondages ont été envoyés et nous aimerions recevoir les Vous pourrez riposter ce mois-ci. Commencez par accorder commentaires de nos membres. Envoyez simplement un votre confiance à vos collègues de travail, pas aux politiciens. courriel à [email protected]. Dites-nous comment Assistez à la réunion de votre syndicat. Élaborez un plan nous pourrions rendre votre emploi plus sécuritaire. pour gagner l’appui de nos usagers.

Nous avons en commun les mêmes problèmes et les mêmes enjeux : tarifs élevés, réduction de services, manque de L’équipe internationale de sécurité financement pour nos systèmes, horaires inappropriés, se prépare problèmes de sécurité, insectes dans les autobus... nos Pendant ce temps, en janvier, le Syndicat international usagers sont déjà de notre côté. Nous devons simplement enverra une équipe de sécurité visiter les sections locales et les convaincre de s’exprimer. Cela commence ici, avec cet examiner les autobus ainsi que les garages afin d’identifier article. Je vous le demande, à vous, et à vous, et à vous... les problèmes de sécurité et trouver les solutions à ces Exprimez-vous! v problèmes. Nous sommes présentement en train de former une équipe.

Notre plan consiste à rendre ce travail plus sûr, un membre et un secteur de travail à la fois. INITIATIVE ASSOCIÉE AU POSTE DE Contrer la privatisation TRAVAIL – PHASE II Nous menons des campagnes bien rodées en Ontario (Canada) et à Washington, DC, pour contrer les efforts Les « équipes tactiques » du SUT déployés en vue de privatiser le transport en commun. et les sections locales effectueront Soyons clairs. La privatisation apporte des salaires plus bas, aucune pension, une réduction des soins de santé des études de sécurité et un transport en commun de qualité inférieure. Nous, du Syndicat international, pouvons aider les sections Le président international, Larry Hanley, a annoncé locales qui veulent se battre; mais si les dirigeants locaux qu’à compter de janvier 2018, le Syndicat et ses sections

28 September/October 2017 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 29 locales procéderont à des études de sécurité aux INITIATIVE ASSOCIÉE AU POSTE DE installations du SUT. Cette démarche marque le début TRAVAIL : PHASE II de la seconde phase de l’Initiative – Poste de travail du Syndicat international, commencée en septembre avec Les problèmes des agents de l’adoption des Résolutions de sécurité par les sections locales aux États-Unis et au Canada. stations doivent être examinés Les « équipes tactiques » en sécurité du Syndicat au cours des audits de sécurité international, de concert avec les sections locales et, idéalement, leurs dirigeants examineront les conditions Tout comme les conducteurs et le personnel d’entretien, physiques et les procédures en milieu de travail auxquelles les agents de stations ont des préoccupations de santé et sont exposés leurs employés sur une base quotidienne. de sécurité sur le lieu de travail où ils passent la plupart L’objectif sera de trouver les problèmes qui menacent de leurs journées. Ces problèmes seront examinés alors le bien-être de nos membres et de les résoudre à l’aide que l’ATU entame la Phase II de son initiative associée de négociations collectives, de plaintes formelles auprès au poste de travail dans le cadre des audits de sécurité des de l’OSHA ou du CCHST, ou d’une campagne publique, installations de l’ATU. si nécessaire. Chaque agence de transport a ses problèmes particuliers L’International a commencé sa campagne pour des dans les stations, mais nous savons que certains d’entre eux postes de travail sains, sûrs et sécurisés après que des sont plus répandus. recherches et une enquête sur les sections locales aient révélé leurs principales préoccupations à l’égard de leur environnement de travail. Ces problèmes ont été publiés Qualité de l’air dans l’In Transit au cours de la dernière année. Tout comme les conducteurs et les employés d’entretien, les agents de stations s’inquiètent des possibilités de Les dirigeants invités à se cancer, d’asthme ou d’autres problèmes de respiration joindre à nous découlant d’une mauvaise qualité de l’air sur leur lieu de travail. L’International et les sections locales inviteront les dirigeants du transport en commun à se joindre à nous pour identifier L’interaction avec le public expose les agents de stations les problèmes particuliers à leurs propres agences. Nous à la maladie et les rend vulnérables à des attaques par des commencerons tout de même les vérifications en janvier, passagers en colère ou des resquilleurs. avec ou sans leur collaboration. La police est trop souvent lente à réagir aux urgences Tout ce que le syndicat veut accomplir à travers ce processus dans les transports en commun – surtout dans le métro. est d’obtenir un lieu de travail dans le transport en commun Les agents de stations sont obligés de rester debout ou comportant des garanties de sécurité que la plupart des assis pendant des heures. Des tapis antifatigue rembourrés employés tiennent pour acquises. Notre objectif ultime et des chaises ergonomiques peuvent aider ces travailleurs est l’amélioration de l’environnement de travail de nos à éviter les troubles musculo-squelettiques découlant du membres, afin qu’ils puissent vivre plus longtemps, plus travail dans des conditions loin d’être idéales. heureux et en meilleure santé. v

Infestation De nombreuses stations sont infestées de cafards, souris et autres pestes qui souillent le lieu où travaillent ces agents. Personne ne devrait être forcé de rester assis ou debout pendant des heures dans des lieux de travail si malsains.

Tout comme les conducteurs, les agents de stations

IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 29 doivent supporter une mauvaise ventilation et l’absence de guide à l’échelle internationale pour l’investigation des de climatisation ou de chauffage sur leur lieu de travail. conditions et des procédures de sécurité constatées dans les installations de ses membres et les garages aux États-Unis Les agents doivent souvent travailler en présence de câbles et au Canada. électriques dangereux, de technologies et d’éclairages qui n’ont pas été modernisés depuis des décennies. Différentes préoccupations, mais tout aussi graves Suicides Comme on peut s’y attendre, les problèmes de sécurité qui Tout comme les conducteurs, les agents doivent parfois affectent le personnel d’entretien sont différents, mais tout faire face à des suicides, ce qui présente un grand fardeau aussi graves que ceux de leurs collègues conducteurs. Par physique et psychologique pour tous les employés sur exemple, alors que l’accès aux toilettes est un gros problème place au moment d’un tel incident. Il serait vraiment utile pour 100 % des conducteurs, c’est le dernier, à 7,06 %, pour aux employés de recevoir une formation leur permettant le personnel d’entretien. De même, les outils électriques et d’identifier et d’assister les personnes suicidaires et les risques liés aux machines sont un problème de sécurité cela aiderait de nombreux employés à récupérer plus pour 100 % des employés d’entretien, mais, à 1,64 %, ils rapidement de ce genre d’expérience. ne représentent pratiquement aucun risque pour la sécurité Ces problèmes et d’autres qui sont uniques au personnel du point de vue des opérateurs. de stations seront examinés lors des audits de sécurité de Le syndicat va se servir des résultats de ces audits pour l’ATU, qui débuteront en janvier. v forcer les directions des transports en commun à procurer à leurs employés d’entretien les lieux de travail sains, sûrs et sécuritaires auxquels ils ont droit . v

INITIATIVE ASSOCIÉE AU POSTE DE TRAVAIL : PHASE II Outils électriques et risques associés aux machines, liste des principales préoccupations de sécurité chez les employés d’entretien

Les résultats de l’enquête doivent servir de guide pour les audits de sécurité dans les ateliers d’entretien Les préoccupations des mécaniciens et des autres employés non conducteurs seront sur le devant de la scène lorsque le syndicat débutera les audits de sécurité des locaux d’entretien dans les installations de l’ATU en janvier.

Les situations soulevées par les employés d’entretien dans un sondage de 2016 de l’ATU (voir le tableau) serviront

30 September/October 2017 | IN TRANSIT IN TRANSIT | www.atu.org 31 DeathIn Benefits Memoriam Awarded July 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017

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