Transit union says schedule is 'a mess' as OC Transpo accommodates mandatory breaks
OC Transpo is hiring 80 new bus drivers to accommodate a new 30-minute mandatory break requirement, as the union representing operators warns the "whole schedule is a mess."
New Canada Labour Code requirements state that bus drivers must receive a 30-minute break for every five hours of work. Acting General Manager of Transit Services Troy Charter says schedules were adjusted on April 24 as part of the spring service changes to give operators the break.
"OC Transpo remains committed to working collaboratively with ATU Local 279 and other OC Transpo employees to implement these complex scheduling changes and action feedback from employees where possible," Charter said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
However, the president of the Amalgamated Transit Union says the union members "are not doing well" as OC Transpo adjusts the schedule.
"They had two years to get ready for this and they sat on it right until the last second, until the government said you have to be compliant," ATU Local 279 President Clint Crabtree told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron on Thursday.
Crabtree says OC Transpo putting the 30-minute break into the schedule has created "complete chaos" with the work and bus schedules.
"Buses are not showing up, people are being left without buses, my members are being left at stations where they are supposed to relieve buses and those buses aren't showing up so they have to make it back to the depot to grab a bus," Crabtree said. "The whole schedule is a mess right now and people are very upset and frustrated."
Crabtree estimates OC Transpo needs to hire 200 more operators to cover the 30-minute breaks, attrition and retirements.
"They need more operators," Crabtree says.
Charter says OC Transpo has launched a "robust recruitment campaign and increased training sessions throughout the year."
"To support these Canada Labour Code-mandated changes and meet the new service needs, Council-approved funding for eighty more bus operator positions," Charter said.
"In addition to these new positions, OC Transpo has proactively identified the need to hire an additional 200 new operators to fill upcoming vacancies as a result of attrition, LRT expansion, retirements and employees moving to new roles in the organization."
Crabtree is calling on OC Transpo to address the scheduling issues before ridership picks up in the fall, especially since the transit service is trying to boost ridership.
"Service is going to be absolutely chaotic in the fall," Crabtree said as university, college and high school students return in September. "The service will be an absolute nightmare in the fall for the public and my members."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.