Despite a new collective agreement with promised wage increases, Halifax Transit is still experiencing staff shortages. In February of this year, reductions in services were introduced, reductions meant to end this summer. However, as of a news release on June 20, these service reductions are here to stay.
There are forty-two vacancies for bus drivers, which means more routes are being cancelled. What could be driving these vacancies? While some may harp that this is due to the fact that “no one wants to work anymore,” we know that low wages, a lack of workplace safety, and other poor working conditions are what lead to job shortages.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508, which represents Halifax Transit operators, signed a 4-year collective agreement in May 2023. This agreement included a three percent annual wage increase. Drivers who have completed training will now make $24.28 an hour.
Although any and all increases in wages are welcome, we have to ask, is it enough? Especially given the fact that the cost of living has risen exponentially and transit workers are facing more challenges than ever. We sat down with Shane O’Leary, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508, to discuss how transit workers are faring.
Workers leaving “faster than we can hire them”
“We are losing people faster than we can hire them and this will continue until we have a safe work place,” says O’Leary.
O’Leary shares that there has been nonstop hiring – but, there is a huge retention issue. So far this year, there have been 26 or 27 resignations. When asked why this is the case, O’Leary had this to say:
“It’s a combination of low wages and dangerous work. The wage increases were 3 percent a year for 4 years and that’s nothing to sneeze at, but with the high cost of living, and the carbon tax coming in, the prices of everything keep escalating and workers can’t keep up with it. Many people can’t afford an apartment on their own, there are a lot of branches to this tree and it continues to grow.”
Along with affordability issues, safety has also become a huge concern for transit workers.
“Two drivers were assaulted this morning alone. Two drivers were hospitalized a few weeks ago. Children 12 and under no longer have to pay for transit, I think it’s a good idea. Kids shouldn’t have to pay, a single mother with kids shouldn’t have to pay, but what I’m not okay with is a grown man saying he’s under 12 and ‘fuck you if you don’t like it.’ We are also seeing swarms of teenagers do this. Operators feel unsafe. You come in every day expecting a problem. It’s a huge psychological problem.”
Publicly-funded transit key to safe, affordable city
O’Leary further expressed frustration with local government and transit management.
“To have a successful city we need successful transit. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, it’s law to have a safe workplace and it isn’t happening no matter how hard we push. Halifax Transit isn’t listening. HRM isn’t listening.”
While listening to Shane, I couldn’t help but think about how the issue of safety would be helped if transit was free for all. If transit were free for all, we could avoid unnecessary conflict, ensuring the safety of workers while also making transit a public good. This, accompanied with higher wages, could very well aid in retention issues.
When asked for final thoughts, Shane had this to say, “You take that anxiety home with you every day. Being assaulted in the workplace changes your life and not for the better. It’s time for change.”
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