‘Anti-worker’ status change for Winnipeg Transit Plus drivers voted down

A controversial proposal to reclassify Winnipeg Transit Plus drivers as subcontracted workers, which some feared could lead to lower pay and fewer benefits, has been rejected by city council. Coun. Janice Lukes successfully moved to treat the changes as mere information, preventing the city from acting on them. Coun. Brian Mayes, a mayoral candidate, called the proposal an "anti-worker provision," arguing that it would have eliminated protections that require drivers to be employees and entitled them to minimum wages, Canada pension, and Workers' Compensation.

Supporters initially claimed the change was necessary to attract drivers for the service. However, Mayor Scott Gillingham clarified that the protections should remain in place due to a previous 2023 council decision. City council voted to maintain the current rules, ensuring Transit Plus drivers continue to be employees with fair wages and benefits.