Transit officials in hot seat
Mayor, councillors outraged by shift 'selling' scheme
By FRANK LANDRY, SUN MEDIA
Transit officials were given a tongue-lashing yesterday over the decades-old practice of drivers "selling" their shifts to co-workers, with one councillor calling the scheme morally wrong.
The public scolding followed a damning city auditor's report on the issue.
"This idea of trading a $25 shift for $20 seems like something you should have reacted to," Mayor Stephen Mandel told officials during a meeting of the audit committee.
But Edmonton Transit System manager Charles Stolte said he was unaware until recently that the practice was even taking place.
"It seems to me there's a moral issue," said Coun. Bryan Anderson. "The appearance of this just stinks."
Mandel said he hoped similar schemes weren't going on within other city departments, warning "it reflects on the credibility of our organization."
Stolte said his department has put the brakes on the practice, effective March 31. Drivers will still be permitted to swap shifts.
In a recent report, auditor David Wiun found it was a common practice for some drivers to "sell" hours to co-workers. The replacement driver is paid an agreed-upon rate by the original operator to take his or her shift.
Wiun said drivers have been selling shifts since at least 1985.
"Some operators have essentially sold their jobs, but continue to receive employment benefits and accumulate pension credits," states his report.
Wiun said the practice is in violation of legislation that requires the city to record and report accurate work hours for each employee.
The auditor said he couldn't find evidence of similar practices in other departments
So, you sell hours to other drivers, and keep all of your benefits, while the other driver gets paid under the table? Does Revenue Canada know about this? Sell your job and go get another one so you can collect two pensions? Maybe the union and drivers should be checked into more thoroughly, in all cities. Quite the scam if you can get away with it! Now the Ottawa strike makes more sense, are they doing the same thing?
