The union representing Transit Windsor workers is blasting Mayor Drew Dilkens and city staff for shutting down buses.
Mel Young is the Financial Treasure Secretary of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 616. He says the union was not advised about the city's decision to suspend transit operations and only found out 30 minutes before the announcement was made.
Young believes the city decided to suspend operations to save money.
"All of this has come down to costs, when the governments are doing all they can to protect the public and their employees," says Young. "This corporation is only looking at ways to save money. Transit Windsor and now the mayor have continually used this pandemic as a cost saving tool. It is unethical and is completely unacceptable to put the health and safety at risk for the all mighty dollar."
He says a lack of sanitization and personal protective equipment are the only things making it unsafe to ride the bus.
"We do not know if the mayor is aware that our members were not provided hand sanitizer for three weeks and that when Transit Windsor finally provided them, they were expired," says Young. "The members of ATU Local 616 have also had no masks or disinfectant wipes which we have continually asked for. Management has continually excuses as to why they can't be provided.
As heard on AM800 news on Thursday, Mayor Drew Dilkens issued an order, temporarily suspending Transit Windsor operations.
The suspension begins at the end of normal operating hours on Sunday March 29 and last until at least April 13.