A big question going into the new school year in Manitoba is how busing will work – and the drivers’ union wants some clarification from government before the buses begin rolling on September 8th.
CUPE Manitoba President, Abe Araya, says they have a number of issues they’d like addressed including a request for a second adult supervisor on board each bus. “The second person on the bus can deal with making sure the kids have their face masks on, and make sure they’re sitting in their proper assigned seating,” says Araya.
He also cites potential problems with drivers’ wearing masks. “If a bus driver has glasses on, and you’re giving him a mask that doesn’t vent proper and is fogging up, he should have the option of wearing a shield.”
As it stands right now, Araya says there has been no change in what happens when a sick child shows up at the bus stop – it’s the same as always – “the kids will be coming onto the bus and taken to the school and into the office, and the office will be contacting the parents to come pick up the kid.” Araya also does not believe a great number of parents will be stepping up to drive children to school – and he can see problems with any type of car-pooling plan.
Araya says the union would like to sit down with the government to talk details.
