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British Columbia Workers Taking a Stand Against Transit CutsClose to 1,000 transit operators and 200 maintenance staff, employees of Coastal Mountain Bus Company (CMBC), received layoff notices on April 20, effective May 18, 2020. The union representing the workers issued a press release on April 23 stating that it will challenge the layoffs. The press release reports that "Unifor will argue that CMBC breached the Labour Relations Code by not giving 60 days notice. The union will be seeking to have the lay-offs rescinded, or at minimum pay workers during the 60 days." News of the layoffs and further cuts to transit services in BC's lower mainland, came without notice. The recorded message on TransLink's automated 24 hour "next bus" service simply states "Due to low ridership, TransLink is suspending some transit services." TransLink is the body responsible for public transit -- bus, SkyTrain (light rail trains), West Coast Express rail service to the Fraser Valley, and passenger ferries in Metro Vancouver either through operating subsidiaries or private contracts. Following service cuts made in March TransLink recently announced huge cuts to its operations effective April 24 with more service cuts expected in May. Hundreds of transit operators, mechanics, administrative staff and other workers are being laid off "temporarily." According to a Vancouver Sun article dated April 20, transit ridership is down 80 per cent since the COVID-19 outbreak and TransLink is losing $70 million per month. Fare collection has been suspended for the duration of the pandemic and most buses have back door boarding only, to support physical distancing and protect drivers. TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond claimed that TransLink "has no other options" and according to TransLink there will be other options for riders on "most" of these routes. Further cuts are expected to be announced in May. SkyTrain frequency has been reduced. SeaBus passenger ferry service between Vancouver and North Vancouver is operating at reduced levels and late evening runs have been eliminated. West Coast Express commuter rail service between Vancouver and the Fraser Valley has been reduced from five to three trains daily in each direction.
Unions representing essential workers were quick to condemn the cuts and layoffs. Jennifer Whiteside, secretary-treasurer of the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) stated "These service cuts mean added stress for health care and other essential workers on the front line of BC's pandemic response. Our members have limited options to get to work and they've already been facing lengthier commuting times as a result of previously announced service reductions. We need federal and provincial leaders to take emergency measures to support public transit through this pandemic slowdown. It's essential for those on the front lines of this public health crisis." An HEU press release on April 20 pointed out that one in five health care workers depend on public transit to get to and from work in hospitals, care homes, community agencies, First Nations' health centres, etc. Many work overtime or take on second jobs in order to support their families. The housing crisis has resulted in longer commute distances for many workers. Unifor western regional director Gavin McGarrigle called the cuts "a reckless and irresponsible move. Right now there are tens of thousands of workers taking transit because they have to be on transit. They are making sure that people get the health care they need in long term care homes and hospitals... and grocery stores... the list goes on for essential workers." David Black, president of Move Up, the union representing administrative workers employed by TransLink and its operating subsidiary, Coast Mountain Bus Company, stated that 160 union members were laid off with only two days' notice instead of the required four weeks' notice. He said that his union will advocate for short term emergency funding for public transit. BC premier John Horgan responded by passing the buck to the federal government. Horgan claims that the federal government has "access to resources that can be deployed across the country." So far there has been no commitment from the federal government.
This article was published in Article Link:   Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca |
The transit
system cannot be treated as just a business.
Government has a social responsibility to
provide safe and adequate transit services for
workers, students, youth, seniors, and people
with disabilities. Ridership and revenue
statistics released by TransLink do not deal
with the needs and the real life experience of
the people and the society which depends on the
transit system to get workers to their jobs.
Social distancing regulations demanded by bus
operators and their union and implemented by
TransLink have resulted in buses running at less
than one third of capacity. Even without the
newly announced service cuts there are many
occasions on which passengers have been passed
by because of the reduced capacity of buses,
making essential service workers late for work.
In hospitals and long term care homes some
workers are forced to remain on the job after
the end of their shifts if those who are on the
next shift have not arrived because they are
stuck in transit. Longer commute times are a
huge problem for essential workers who are
unable to ensure that they pick up children in
time. Many people who have no other means of
transportation are late for scheduled medical
appointments. Others are required to carry
groceries farther as a result of closed bus
stops. These hardships are even greater for
seniors and people with mobility challenges. If
schools re-open, even partially, this will
result in even more pressure on the transit
system.
While governments
shirk their social responsibility, front line
essential service workers are stepping up to the
plate, making sacrifices and putting their
health and lives at risk to serve others.
Transit workers and others are speaking in their
own names and demanding authorities provide
personal protective equipment and implement
life-saving sanitary measures in order that
services like transit that are essential to
society can continue to operate. This is the
activation of the human factor that is blocked
by the political system which marginalizes
workers and excludes them from decision-making.
With the awareness of their leading role in
solving the problems posed by the COVID-19
emergency, workers are also coming to realize
the need to organize for their empowerment.