OC Transpo is hiring 80 new bus drivers to accommodate a brand new 30-minute necessary break requirement, because the union representing operators warns the "entire schedule is a large number."
New Canada Labour Code necessities state that bus drivers should obtain a 30-minute break for each 5 hours of labor. Performing Common Supervisor of Transit Providers Troy Constitution says schedules had been adjusted on April 24 as a part of the spring service modifications to offer operators the break.
"OC Transpo stays dedicated to working collaboratively with ATU Native 279 and different OC Transpo workers to implement these advanced scheduling modifications and motion suggestions from workers the place doable," Constitution mentioned in an announcement to CTV Information Ottawa.
Nonetheless, the president of the Amalgamated Transit Union says the union members "will not be doing properly" as OC Transpo adjusts the schedule.
"They'd two years to prepare for this and so they sat on it proper till the final second, till the federal government mentioned it's a must to be compliant," ATU Native 279 President Clint Crabtree advised Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron on Thursday.
Crabtree says OC Transpo placing the 30-minute break into the schedule has created "full chaos" with the work and bus schedules.
"Buses will not be displaying up, persons are being left with out buses, my members are being left at stations the place they're supposed to alleviate buses and people buses aren't displaying up so that they must make it again to the depot to seize a bus," Crabtree mentioned. "The entire schedule is a large number proper now and persons are very upset and pissed off."
Crabtree estimates OC Transpo wants to rent 200 extra operators to cowl the 30-minute breaks, attrition and retirements.
"They want extra operators," Crabtree says.
Constitution says OC Transpo has launched a "sturdy recruitment marketing campaign and elevated coaching periods all year long."
"To assist these Canada Labour Code-mandated modifications and meet the brand new service wants, Council-approved funding for eighty extra bus operator positions," Constitution mentioned.
"Along with these new positions, OC Transpo has proactively recognized the necessity to rent a further 200 new operators to fill upcoming vacancies on account of attrition, LRT enlargement, retirements and workers shifting to new roles within the group."
Crabtree is asking on OC Transpo to deal with the scheduling points earlier than ridership picks up within the fall, particularly because the transit service is making an attempt to spice up ridership.
"Service goes to be completely chaotic within the fall," Crabtree mentioned as college, faculty and highschool college students return in September. "The service shall be an absolute nightmare within the fall for the general public and my members."
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