Punched, kicked, spat on: Saskatoon Transit workers call for help after violent assaults
The union representing the city’s bus drivers says violence against transit workers is out of control.
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 615 and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) say they want something done to protect transit employees.
The city says plans have been put into place to address the threat to worker safety, but workers say it can’t come soon enough.
For lifetime transit rider Elizabeth Dyck, taking the bus has been her sole means of transportation for most of her life, and it’s troubling to her how safety has changed over the years.
“The last 10 years have been very different, there’s fighting on the bus, people are not paying their fares, as you can see people aren’t respecting the transit houses,” Dyck told CTV News.
Elizabeth Dyck has been a lifetime transit rider. (Carla Shynkaruk / CTV News)
The ATU and SFL released a letter Tuesday morning because of a recent surge in violent events where drivers were punched, kicked, and spat on.
“As a matter of fact, last night we had another assault on one of our drivers. He was asked a simple question, answered it and the passenger reached around the barrier and punched him in the face,” said Darcy Pederson, president of the ATU Local 615.
According to Pederson, drivers have also seen knives and even guns brought onto busses.
In a statement to CTV News, the city acknowledged there have been recent issues.
“The transit administration acknowledges there recently were a number of negative interactions and they take them seriously. Several initiatives have been introduced in the last 12 months to improve safety for employees and the public in transit spaces,” the statement said.
“Processes are also in place to support staff after incidents occur.”
Pederson has his own ideas about how to tackle the problem.
“I think we can clean up the terminal, get better cameras, getting more enforcement officer would be good. Someone who can enforce the rules,” he said.
City administration said more support officers have been put into place, with more on the way July 1.
Administration says negative interactions on transit is a Canada-wide issue.
This graph shows the rates of negative interactions on transit in Saskatoon since 2019:
Pederson has been a bus driver for 21 years. He says gone are the days where passenger and driver knew each other and had a positive relationship.
“You knew where they were going and now we’re in a situation where every time we pick up a passenger, we’re not sure if that passenger is going to punch us in the face or not.”
According to that statement from the city, Saskatoon Transit employees are always encouraged to call their supervisor if they are concerned for their safety and to contact the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) immediately to investigate when an incident happens.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.