Keeping students safe and able to meet their academic goals is the purpose of the Western Community Van program, says Western President Amit Chakma, in response to concerns from the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) – Local 741.
In a letter sent by Chakma to Pat Hunniford, ATU – Local 741 President, on Monday in response to his concerns about the vans, Chakma said:
“What we are doing is precisely in keeping with what I understand was discussed and agreed to between yourself, Elgin Austen, our Director of Campus Police, and Emily Rowe, President of our University Students’ Council, a few days ago.
“It is my understanding that you have reviewed and support the services we are providing for student safety and which are outlined on our website.
“This is a ‘last resort’ option for students who cannot find any other way to get to campus and are coming from a distance. Every option we are providing to students is with the paramount goal of keeping our students safe, and affording them the opportunity to meet their academic goals.
“We respect ATU’s right to withdraw their services and it is not our intention, nor are we in any way, trying to mount a replacement bus service.”
In spite of Hunniford’s written concerns to the university that the van program is an “attempt at strike-breaking” and calls to halt the program, in an interview today with Western News, he said, “We don’t perceive it (the van program) as a threat. I said it even before the strike happened. I met Emily (Rowe) and Mr. (Elgin) Austen, and we sat down and had a very frank conversation. I expressed my concerns so far, and as far as I know, they’ve honored those commitments we made and have been pro-active.”
Hunniford continued to say his main issue with the van program is that the vehicles are rented, as opposed to being owned by the university.
Fred Longstaffe, Western’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic) says Western’s foremost responsibility is to its students.
“In this instance, that responsibility is defined by ensuring their safe and reliable access to the education to which they contribute substantially through their academic efforts and their tuition payments. I believe this to be a shared and overriding community value here at Western, and I am proud of the efforts being made by many of our employees and students to help one another during this difficult time.”
Two unions on campus have spoken out publicly against Western Community Vans – the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) and the University of Western Ontario Staff Association (UWOSA).
UWOFA president Regna Darnell is calling for Western’s administration to cease operation of the van program and supports ATU – Local 741’s position that the shuttles constitute “strike-breaking activity.” The UWOFA Board authorized payment of $1,000 per week to the ATU as of yesterday.
UWOSA president David Empey says the union supports the transit union’s position opposing the shuttle vans, claiming the drivers are “replacement workers,” regardless of whether they are paid or not.
Both UWOFA and UWOSA have indicated that if the transit union holds an information picket at the entrances to campus, their members will cross the picket lines because they are legally required to do so under their respective collective agreements.
Click here to see the route map for the Western Community Vans.