TransLink staff air safety concerns over SkyTrain cleaning conditions
Workers told the TransLink board they're being asked to clean safety lines while trains operate, with threats of job loss if they speak up.
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Cleaning staff at TransLink faced off against the board Monday at a quarterly meeting, detailing what they describe as systemic safety failures, bullying, and retaliation for raising concerns.
Dallis Van Steinberg, representing the Service Employees International Union, told the board that nearly 40 grievances have been filed in recent months — covering safety violations, staffing shortages, scheduling breaches, bullying, and threats to workers' futures in Canada.
"One of the most serious concerns involves workers being directed to clean yellow safety lines while trains were operating and while working alone," Van Steinberg said. "It has not stopped. Workers were instructed not to discuss it. Workers were threatened with job loss if they spoke up."
Many of the workers are newcomers to Canada and low-wage earners, she noted. "No worker should ever be placed in a position where they have to choose between their safety and their livelihood."
One worker confirmed to the board that staff are being asked to clean yellow lines alone with no safety protocol. "If anything happens, if someone slips, equipment falls or if there's an emergency there's no one there to help them," the speaker said. "This is not just unsafe; this is a situation where one mistake can have very serious consequences."
Van Steinberg challenged the board to step in, especially given additional funding provided for FIFA preparations. "Where did that money go?" she asked, adding that workers deserve the same protection and respect as any other employee.
