utility worker

FIRST CANADA ULC

Working at this position for First Canada was a very good experience, they have a great open door policy with management. Anytime that you had any concerns management was always ready to listen and help. The position of a Para Transit operator is a very mentally and physically challenging position. Daily you are required to transport 20 - 50 clients that all have a disability of one form or another. Driving was the easiest part of the job, physically there is a lot of bending and lifting being that these people are disabled and many have mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers. Mentally you are required to exercise patience, compassion and empathy as these individuals have ailments that a healthy person just wouldn't understand until you have spent time imagining yourself in their position. Over all this is the best position I have held in my working career and would never had left had I not had to relocate in order to be with my family.

The daily requirements of a driver is simple enough. They train you to do daily (mornings before operating) circle/pre-trip checks of the bus and you have a tight schedule to maintain for appropriate arrival time for school. You are required to keep order of the children on the bus as pertaining to the rules and regulation of First Student to assure safety for everyone. Everything you need to know about driving a school bus is covered in a training course that is given then you are required to obtain you "S" endorsement which is also covered by First Student as long as passed on the first attempt. Almost all expense are covered by the company to obtain your driving license and their efficiency of helping you understand what is required of you and your responsibility is very transparent and easily understood. If you are concerned, they will always help you to understand.

The company does what they want despite going against Union agreements and the CUPE Union supports it. 

Be overturn of drivers is crazy and most graduates from the training program leave before their probation is up.

You have full timers fighting casuals for rights and pay and it is a divide and conquer company where staff are belittled talk down to and told to do it and shut up by both company and Union.

When they need you for a project (a contract) they treat people well, but when the work is done they do not lay people off, they force people out the door by making life difficult for the employee in a variety of ways. They do not live up to their employment offer either, pay no overtime, and changing the rules to suite themselves as they go. With 60,000 buses in North America you are just a number to be exploited by this organization. They do pay well when they have work up north if you don't mind being isolated from family and living in a work camp with often less than ideal conditions. This company is a huge multi-national with no regard for people or the environment. Moping and union busting is common place for this company.

Split shifts ~ all good with that !!  Learned the procedures in the Oil Industry and safety comes first.
Management is at times like walking on egg shells; but just do your job and follow procedures ~ all good.
Co-Workers; can be supportive but like any other place some like to make it up the ladder quick and will do what it takes to get there.  
Nothing hard reallly about the job; just do it !
Love the sunrise and enjoy giving the workers a warm welcoming "Good Morning" upon boarding and wishing them a great day when disembarking.  Some workers really need that and makes their day.  And upon the end of shift... great with a smile and tell a joke or two to help them forget their tiresome day.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working with the other employees.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The office environment lacks communication for the smooth daily operation. Favoritism is rampid within the system. Employee turn over within the office is extremely high in the last three years.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Enviroment is sicking most days. The culture  has been said, to be "toxic."  

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
The morning usually starts off no to bad, quickly escalates to stressful.

The Kearl shop was an exceptional place of employment. Workers were great and management was exceptional. Was a great job if you liked to work hard and get paid great. Lots of overtime when wanted. Shop was clean with excellent heat in the winter. Major shop tools provided, Winter gear, camp, food, transportation and training. Minimal road calls, as equipment rarely broke down. All in all the best place I ever worked. Wish I had never been laid off.

in a day you go from busy to quiet, I enjoy picking up the clients/students, I have learned that you have to have the right temperament  for this job and good people skills 
The first snow of the year is to say interesting and you have think fast on your feet to avoid accidents and sliding into things and people . I enjoy this job because in a way you are your own boss  and I can talk to people .

A typical day could be anywhere from great to horrible, there was no proper training for the position from the start. Though management seemed to lack the actual skills to be good management, the rest of the crew were great. They made the days go by with meaning and laughter. The hardest part of the job was going in unprepared and ending up in trouble for not knowing how to do the job without the proper training and being expected to know everything.

Will go down as the worst shop i have worked at. I wont name any names but the service managers here had 0 management skills, not to mention communication skills. From throwing technicians under the bus to trash talking them while they weren't around. These guys, including some lead techs, were most likely bullied as kids if I had to guess. Having said all that, the money was good and there was lots of OT.

Working at FIRST CANADA ULC: company overview and reviews

FIRST CANADA ULC

FIRST CANADA ULC ratings

Popular jobs at FIRST CANADA ULC

Salary satisfaction

Job seeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected