The president of the union representing London Transit Commission (LTC) workers calls it a double standard.
Passengers without face coverings being allowed to board city buses without repercussions while masking rules are strictly enforced among transit workers.
“Mask-less passengers are boarding buses with impunity and putting the workers and other passengers at risk of COVID-19 infection,” Mike Gauthier, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741, said in a statement. “Meanwhile, the LTC is excessively enforcing mask rules when it comes to transit workers. We have to be masked at all times, wear shields and glasses, and maintain six feet during rest and eating periods. The hypocrisy stinks and the workers are angry.”
Passengers are required under a provincial order to wear face coverings while waiting at bus stops and aboard the bus. Exceptions are made for those with medical conditions but no proof of exemption is required. That means people who board the bus without masks are not questioned or denied service.
At the same time, transit supervisors are strictly enforcing the mask policy on drivers "undermining" what was a peaceful work environment and making workers question whether management has their best interests at heart, according to Gauthier.
"Passengers are getting frustrated that their fellow passengers are not being held accountable, when they are doing their part.," said Gauthier. "The city is turning a blind eye to Ontario Regulation 82/20, which requires the use of face masks on public transit. Transit workers feel that the city does not care about their safety when they are operating vehicles.”
The union is now calling on London Transit to implement a no-exemption policy for passengers like the ones in place in Windsor and Hamilton.
"Transit Windsor has a no-exception policy and we want the same in London,” said Gauthier. “Passengers without masks – even if they have a medical reason – still puts operators and other passengers at risk. Employees have a right to be protected from danger."
The union plans to continue to educate its workers on their rights to refuse work if mask-less passengers are allowed to continue to board buses.
London Transit officials have stated the decision not to enforce masking mandates has been made in an effort to better protect its workers.
"Over the course of the pandemic, we have had a number of incidents where operators have attempted to enforce the mask mandate that have resulted in verbal and in some cases, physical assault on the operator and/or the vehicle," said General Manager Kelly Paleczny. "We remind the public of expectations with respect to the mask policy with on-board signage as well as automated announcements each time the doors of the bus open reminding riders that masks are mandatory."
Paleczny also maintains the organization has taken other steps to protect its drivers such as installing plexiglass barriers on buses, providing hand sanitizer, and disinfection of the operator area between shifts.
