'They've abandoned their riders': Transit union angry about broken hoists in Windsor garage

Transit Windsor bus in Windsor, Ont. on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. (Chris Campbell/CTV Windsor)

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616 says 10 mechanical hoists are broken with no plan for replacement.

“We're at a critical point right now,” ATU International Vice President Manny Sforza told CTV News in a recent interview. “If the hoists aren't working, our team can't fix the busses and get them on the road. If the busses are not on the road and people are waiting longer, people get frustrated.”

According to Sforza, 10 of Transit Windsor’s 15 hoists are broken, leaving just five to service all 117 buses in the fleet.

The issue came up during contract negotiations this past winter.

ATU ultimately settled the contract without going on strike.

“We identified these problems nine months ago and they didn't improve. They've actually gotten worse,” Sforza said.

He said ATU members routinely hear complaints from riders who are waiting longer than expected for their bus.

And in many cases staff are forced to drive past waiting passengers because their buses are full, according to Sforza.

“The politicians and city council need to take this seriously. The building right now, the transit garage is not in a good state of repair,” Sforza told CTV News. “And the bottom line is the traveling public is suffering.”

On Nov. 29, Transit Windsor executive director Tyson Cragg announced his resignation for a job with the Municipality of Lakeshore as its next CAO.

The City of Windsor issued a statement on Tuesday:

“The City of Windsor refutes the claims made by the Amalgamated Transit Union. The City has made continued investments in the maintenance facilities at Transit Windsor, including new state-of-the-art mobile hoists and associated lifting devices. These new lifting devices have resulted in improved efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, and have moved Transit Windsor away from reliance on outdated technology to meet the current industry standard of mobile lifts. The changes and improvements in garage equipment and processes have been embraced by the majority of Transit Windsor’s professional maintenance staff, and there are currently 14 repair bays available for fleet maintenance.

Potential concerns about Transit Windsor operations should be discussed collaboratively with management, who remains ready and willing to work with the Amalgamated Transit Union to ensure the highest quality of service for Transit Windsor riders. Transit Windsor moves over 200,000 people per week in Windsor and Essex County, and passengers will not be stranded in the cold this winter.”