Good news on transit and safety
I welcome Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities John Baird’s announcement today on his intention to lift the exemption of federal safety regulations for OC Transpo.
Minister Baird is taking action to enforce eights hours of rest between shifts and eliminate the option bus drivers currently have to book back-to-back 11 hour shifts.
Today’s announcement is a victory for all of us and is a reinforcement of Council’s united position on the safety of Ottawa residents and OC Transpo drivers – something we were not willing to compromise on during the transit strike.
The details of Minister Baird’s announcement can be found here. I look forward to hearing from the citizens of Ottawa on this important issue.
March 11th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
it would be nice of you to hold info sessions for the drivers so they know about these new rules. it is very important for drivers who are currently booked as spares and select there work on a daily bases to know about the new guidlines and get any clarrification they may need.
Its not just an 8 hour rest rule that was introduced. This wording comes right from the citys website for the drivers: “Operaters may not select work that will have them remaining on duty for more than 14 hours within any 24- hour cycled.” Is this a rolling 24 hours? Is it 14 consecutive hours?
And what about overtime the drivers just booked at the citys request because the city forgot to book march break holiday spares? If that is breaking the 24 hours of rest in a 2 week pay period do the need to cancel it? will canceling it count against them?
March 11th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Speaking of transit, thank you council for the screw-up today on the universal bus pass program. You’ve missed out on a good occasion to attract more ridership. And that would have being a good break for them considering the ever skyrocketing university costs. Obviously, most of council are more preoccupied with the zero means zero nonsense.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I thought all outstanding issues would be dealt with by way of binding arbitration. By changing work-rest rule before waiting for a decision by an arbitrator is interference in the whole process.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Jcl
This is a issue that should not be part of arbitration.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Speaking of transit, I have been very disappointed with the service since the strike is over…………..no respect for safety….drivers wearing earphones to listen to their radios and talking on their cellphones for up to as high as 12 minutes while driving through trafffic. That is crazy.
Again, according to the radio we are threatened with Job Action……why not close OC Transpo down if Union wants to run it.
You see, Mr. O’Brien, I pay high taxes to you for Transit and not to the Union.
Safety does not come first to the A.T.U………..no respect for human life I guess. Let’s get rid of all the drivers and hire some who do.
March 14th, 2009 at 11:26 am
When will work-rest rules be discussed in Transit Committee?
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 am
Sandra…….. Can’t do that. Craig…….. already been settled.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
THE SAFETY ? YOU ARE KIDDING? THE CITY IS FULL OF ON PHONE DRIVERS, TAIL GATERS, OVER LOADED BUSES..AND WHEN ALL OVER CANADA THERE ARE 2 RAIL OPERATORS OTRAIN IS RUNNING WITH ONLY ONE DRIVER, GOD FORBID IF HE FAILS..
December 16th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
what the mayor says is the all mighty rule to live by.locking out public transit workers before they even start talking contracts. gee whiz why not open up the 1939-1945 stalags. its the only part of the puzzle missing. give workers the right to strike when they want it, it is after all there only way to show there miscontentmentat the present dictatorship.