Some bus drivers pushing back on mask mandate, union says

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This article was published 12/03/2022 (1332 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The union representing city bus drivers is predicting a bumpy ride ahead once the province drops its mask mandate next week.

While riders won’t be required to wear masks starting Tuesday, face coverings will remain mandatory for drivers — a decision some operators aren’t happy about, said Amalgamated Transit Union president Romeo Ignacio.

The city announced late last month that its employees will still be required to wear masks on the job.

A survey of transit union members found two-thirds of its 200 members want the option to go maskless on the job, Ignacio said.

He said those members believe forcing drivers to mask up, while allowing riders not to, is illogical and unfair.

“There’s been some conversations, there’s some pushback from membership,” he said, adding the union is encouraging all members to follow city policy. “I can tell you that I communicated to the city that we will have a problem next week.”

Ignacio said he worries some drivers will either be suspended for not following the rules or stop driving completely, creating a gap in service.

“And we have to make sure that the service isn’t affected,” he said.

Ignacio said the mask mandate has been difficult on transit drivers, who were forced to act as enforcement officers, causing “friction” between passengers and operators.

“Since two years ago, we have been having problems with mask enforcement,” Ignacio said. “Nobody’s enforcing it, even though they’re saying it’s required.”

Meanwhile, some riders are worried about the end of the mandate.

Hazel Snider said she has no plans to get on a bus without a mask and will continue to protect herself as long as she feels COVID-19 is still a risk.

She isn’t happy with the province’s decision.

“They don’t know what they’re doing…,” said Snider while waiting for her bus on McPhillips Street Saturday afternoon.

The thought of being in a packed bus with unmasked strangers is anxiety-inducing for Rick Swidinsky.

The Winnipegger has to take two buses to get to work from his East Kildonan home. Because he takes them during rush hour, the buses are almost always packed.

“The buses are pretty full, and if you lift (the mandate), oh man, it’s just going to be a germ factory in there,” he said.

He’s considering going back to driving to work to keep himself safe, but said he’s worried about riders who don’t have that option, adding the province’s decision will hurt lower-income Winnipeggers.

“I know we need to get back and get the economy going again, but this seems to just throw away everything we’ve worked so hard for for over two years for the sake of the almighty dollar,” he said.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.a