Your bus is about to stop for a minute of silence

Transit drivers are paying tribute to slain Winnipeg bus driver Irvine Fraser

NEWS RELEASES

CITY OF SAULT STE MARIE

ATU LOCAL 1767

*************************
Sault Ste. Marie Transit Services will be stopping all buses at 2 p.m. for a minute of silence in honour of the late City of Winnipeg transit operator Irvine Fraser.

Irvine Fraser was killed by a passenger on his bus last week. The funeral service for the Winnipeg transit operator will take place this afternoon.

*************************
City buses will stop for a minute of silence today, in honour of a slain Winnipeg bus driver.

58-year-old Irvine Fraser was allegedly killed last Tuesday by a passenger at a University of Manitoba bus stop.

The stoppage will begin at 2 p.m., to coincide with the start of Fraser’s funeral service in Winnipeg.

Fraser died after an altercation with the last passenger on his bus, who refused to get off at the end of the line. A struggle erupted and the passenger, a 22-year old man, allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Fraser who later succumbed to his injuries.

“According to recent statistics there are 5 transit operators assaulted on a daily basis across Canada. This number does not include the number of assaults that go unreported.

There are many forms of assault or situations operators are involved in, examples are verbal, spitting and more extreme physical assaults.”

The death of Mr. Fraser marks the first homicide of a Transit Operator while at work.

ATU Canada is calling for our governments and employers to stop putting a dollar amount on humanity.

ATU Canada is calling for the Transit Employers in Canada to design bus run times schedules with more operating time. The current reduction in time is causing the Operators to be subjected to the frustration of the public.

Redesign the Drivers Area so that operators have a closed compartment away from passengers. Similar to train operators and airline pilots.

When an assault does happen the courts need to apply the full measure of the law Bill S 221 and stop negotiating plea bargain deals. 10 years imprisonment for an indictable offence and 18 months for a summary conviction.

“This is a sad time for all of us and a reminder that transit operators job could be dangerous at times.”

*************************