Hello fellow Members
By now most of you will have heard of a very serious Assualt that took place against one of our Operators about at about 01:15 this morning.
First, and most importantly, we want you to know that the Operator is now in serious but stable condition.
We will continue to update you here as soon as we have new information on the Operators condition.
The Operator was assaulted unprovoked by a group of four cowards after being lured from the drivers compartment by a loud bang outside the bus.
He was assaulted with a knife and a pipe of some sort and was able to make it back to his station to call for help. He was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and friends for a speedy and full recovery.
We are so grateful that his physical condition has improved which is a wonderful sign. Of course, the impact on his mental health can not be measured so easily and we will be offering everything we can as a fellowship to assist him in his recovery.
We also know the terrible impact this has on all of us as you try to figure out why something like this has to happen and how we can keep each of us safer.
All we want is to be able to go to work and at the end of the day, come home safely to our family and friends. We deserve that and so do they. That is a very small ask.
I will be meeting with the other Officers shortly and we will keep you informed as best we can.
Please reach out for assistance if you are feeling overwhelmed and be sure you are OK to operate a vehicle safely. We will be coordinating support in the best forms we can in addition to the resources you have through any Employee and Family Assistance programs in place as well as your normal benefits through MEBAC.
Our office number is 403-258-1258
We do already have in place the tools to assist in making sure these assailants are made accountable to the fullest extent of the law and we will pursue that.
Right now our focus is on our collective well being and that of the Operator.
Stay safe, be aware of your surroundings and please be extra kind to one another.
We will come out on the other side of this stronger.
In Solidarity on behalf of the Officers, Executive Board and your Shop Stewards
Mike Mahar
