Lethbridge Transit drivers mourn loss of colleague
WINNIPEG DRIVER WAS KILLED ON THE JOB EARLIER THIS MONTH
Lethbridge Transit drivers paid tribute on Tuesday to a Winnipeg Transit driver who was fatally stabbed last week. They attached black ribbons to the driver’s side mirror of their buses as a symbol of solidarity against workplace violence.
Irvine J. Fraser, 58, was stabbed by a passenger on the last stop of his route at the University of Manitoba on Feb. 14. He later died in hospital. A 22-year-old man, Brian Kyle Thomas, was arrested nearby and charged with seconddegree murder.
Fraser’s funeral was held Tuesday, and Winnipeg buses pulled over to observe a minute of silence at 1 p.m. for their colleague. They also changed their signs to “Rest in Peace #521”, the number referring to Fraser’s badge number. The father and grandfather had planned to retire next year.
The Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 987 requested the approval to tie the black ribbons to all full-size, 40-foot Transit buses in recognition of the slain Winnipeg driver. Similar tributes were planned by transit drivers in other cities across Canada.
“Unfortunately, assaults on transit drivers are not uncommon. But assaults — or worse — are not a reasonable or acceptable workplace hazard,” said Travis Oberg, local ATU president. “It means a lot for our members to be able to recognize a fellow driver who was killed in the line of duty and to demonstrate solidarity with each other.”
Last month, the City of Lethbridge installed video surveillance cameras on all Transit, Access-A-Ride, and school buses in an effort to deter crime and curb vandalism.
Cameras are located on the inside and outside of all buses, and data is kept on file for one month then erased if there are no incidents.
Lethbridge Transit Manager Conrad Westerson said the initiative is for the safety and security of both drivers and passengers. He noted there had been at least three driver assaults in the past six months.
“The safety of all workers is of paramount importance to the City of Lethbridge,” said Westerson. “The reality is that the fatal incident that occurred in Winnipeg could happen to any transit driver. For that reason, we believe it is important to stand in solidarity with our Lethbridge Transit drivers in speaking out against workplace violence.”
In addition, local Transit drivers will be wearing pink today in recognition of Pink Shirt Day, a national campaign to eliminate bullying in schools, workplaces, homes and over the internet.
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