Sick calls not job action, Saskatoon transit union says

The union that represents transit workers in Saskatoon is firing back at city hall, saying that it has not suggested its members call in sick to intentionally disrupt bus service.

On its Facebookpage, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 writes:"Our operators are human and it is currently cold and flu season.Our operators are exposed to higher than normal amounts of people in a confined area for extended periods and they get sick. It happens."

The post said the union has not expanded its job action.

• Saskatoon Transit union launches job action

Yesterday, for the first time since workers began job action two weeks ago, SaskatoonTransit saw a major disruption to its routes.

JimMcDonald, director of transit for the City of Saskatoon, said it was due to an increase of drivers calling in sick. A dozen operators didn't show up to work compared with the typical five absentee workers since the beginning of job action, said McDonald.

Transit workers have implemented an overtime ban after labour negotiations stalled.

The workers have been without a collective bargaining agreement since 2012.

Friday's cancelled routes

High school routes

• Route 331Aden Bowman, Walter Murray and Holy Cross leaving at3:30 p.m. Students will have to catch Route 81.
• Route 342Bedford Road, E.D. Feehan and Mount Royal leaving at3:35 p.m. Students will have to catch Route 5.
• Route 352St. Joseph leaving at3:25 p.m. Students will have to catch Route 45 and then transfer at Central Avenue and 103 Street to Route 18.

Regular routes

• Route 12River Heights leaving downtown at4:45 p.m.
• Route 19Market Mall via Lorne Avenue leaving downtown at3:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
• Route 18College Park leaving U of S at3:38 p.m. and 5:37 p.m.
• Route 20South Industrial Special leaving Melville Street and Brand Road at5:06 p.m.
• Route 22Montgomery leaving the Downtown Terminal at3:29 p.m.,4:59 p.m. and 5:29 p.m.
• Route 22Montgomery leaving Confederation Mall at3:29 p.m.
• Route 23Blairmore leaving Confederation Mall to Shaw Centre at4:24 p.m.and leaving Shaw Centre to Confederation Mall at4:35 p.m.
• Route 50Lakeridge leaving U of S at4:36 p.m.
• Route 101 University Directleaving Campus Drive and College Drive at2:40 p.m.
• Abilities Special #1leaving Abilities Council at4:15 p.m.

Saskatoon Transit is also warning many other routes will likely be full.