August 23, 2023
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Subject: Attached Casting Call for Public Transit Operators (Unsung Heroes)
This is a notice from ATU Local 583 to our Operators about the opportunity to appear in an upcoming documentary recognizing Public Transit Operators as unsung heroes during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. ATU is excited to hear that transit operators will feature in this unsung hero’s documentary. I have been personally assured the documentary will feature operators in a positive light reflecting on all those things you performed in spite of the challenges you faced. We are attaching a poster with some contact information as well as the italicizes details from our e-mail exchange.
“I’m reaching out because we are seeking Bus Drivers for a short branded documentary content series that highlights unsung heroes. We were wondering if you could spread the word to your community?
We are searching for participants who live in Vancouver and Calgary.
No acting required; we are looking for real people to be themselves on camera.
DATES
Accepting submissions – August 14th – September 4th.
Shoot Dates – End of October.
RATES
Participant fee – $2500 for the people who get chosen for the project.”
ATU has no objection to members appearing in the documentary. However, if you wish to appear in the documentary, I encourage you to be mindful that you are a City employee, so you should avoid public statements that may lead the City to discipline you. For example, you should not publicly identify yourself as an employee of Calgary Transit. You should not represent that you are speaking on behalf of the City of Calgary, or on behalf of anyone else other than yourself. You should not say anything about City leaders or management. You should not speak about your terms of employment. It would also be safest to avoid making statements about politics or religion. Any questions along those lines would be best addressed through myself as a representative of ATU 583.
We’re excited to hear about this documentary, but the last thing we want is it to lead to disciplinary consequences for members who may appear in it. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the Local at 403-835-8230.
In Solidarity,
Mike Mahar
President/Business Agent
ATU Local 583
COPE 397 MM/jw
