Police union files grievance, claims new transit security team violates collective agreement

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This article was published 19/01/2024 (624 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A police officers’ union is accusing the city of violating its collective agreement with the addition of a long-awaited security team to patrol Winnipeg Transit buses.

The Winnipeg Police Association, which represents more than 1,400 officers and about 450 civilian staff, has filed a grievance over the 21 community safety officers set to begin addressing security issues at Winnipeg Transit stops and on buses next month.

Association’s president Cory Wiles said the safety officers will be doing work that involves arrest and detention, which should be seen as the domain of police.

“First, the city has violated our collective agreement. The proposed scope of these ‘safety officers’ is clearly work that falls within the WPA bargaining unit, and having employees who aren’t police officers arresting, detaining and dealing with violent criminals is a precedent we cannot allow to stand,” Wiles said in an emailed statement.

”Second, the city is putting these ‘safety officers’ – and ultimately the public – in an unsafe position, as they will lack the full set of tools and training required to do what everyone with common sense can recognize is police work.”

Wiles claimed the city ignored repeated offers over several months to discuss the union’s concerns.

Michael Jack, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the city had discussions with the union and will continue to do so.

He said the security team will be trained and equipped to improve safety.

“We firmly believe that their presence within the transit system will absolutely present a safer environment for all,” he said.

The CAO said the labour concerns will not delay the program from being implemented and he’s confident the safety officers’ work won’t overlap with that of police.

“The kind of work that these folks are going to be doing is work that we shouldn’t be burdening existing police officers with,” he said. “It is a different approach meant to generate different outcomes.… It is different work.”

Mayor Scott Gillingham said the safety officers will be fully trained to handle security threats and help people coping with mental-health or addictions issues.

“Sometimes, it’s a criminal act or a violent act that needs to be addressed. These community safety officers will be trained to de-escalate and do what they need to do,” Gillingham said.

”Community safety officers are (also) going to be trained to direct individuals and connect them with social services, as well.”

The mayor said the transit security team is modelled after similar programs elsewhere; they are directed to support and collaborate with, but be distinct from, police.

“We intentionally set these individuals up, these community safety officers up, to be something other than police. We don’t intend them to be sworn police officers,” said Gillingham.

The mayor has long promoted the program, which he expects will make buses and transit stops safer after years of attacks on passengers and drivers, as well as other security incidents.

The head of the city’s largest union, which will represent the transit safety officers, said he feels their role has been properly defined and is represented by the correct union.

“They’re not police officers. We don’t want them to be deemed as police. We want them to be (more like) community (safety) hosts that have been dealing with conflict resolution,” said Gord Delbridge, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500.

“There’s a time for police, and when they’re needed, we’re very fortunate to have the police that we do.”

Chris Scott, president of the union that represents Winnipeg bus drivers, said he understands the WPA’s concerns over bargaining rights but he wants community safety officers in place as soon as possible.

“Obviously, every union would like to grow their membership, but safety is paramount, said the head of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505.

”I feel we can implement the program and have them make a difference before that’s all sorted out.”

The ATU has repeatedly sounded the alarm about a surge in attacks on bus drivers. Scott said the threat continues, including a report Friday about a passenger who fell asleep on a bus with a knife in his hand.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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