Winnipeg Free Press By: Joyanne Pursaga | Posted: 7:00 PM CST Monday, Mar. 1, 2021 As the City of Winnipeg prepares a week-long effort to combat racism, one of its unions is demanding a tougher response to racist comments allegedly hurled at bus drivers. As the City of Winnipeg prepares a week-long effort to combat racism, one of its unions is demanding a tougher response to racist comments allegedly hurled at bus drivers. The city must act to deter riders from uttering racist slurs at drivers, something that is far too common, said James Van Gerwen, executive vice-president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505. Van Gerwen said about two-thirds of Winnipeg Transit drivers are immigrants to Canada with diverse ethnic backgrounds, some of whom have reported repeated incidents of racism.