A driver fired for his reaction after a rider spat in his face should get his job back, the union representing London Transit drivers says.

More than 20 union members, bus drivers and supporters protested the firing of Rob Willmott outside the LTC headquarters on Highbury Ave. Wednesday evening while commissioners held a monthly meeting inside.

Willmott, 60, said he lost his job after a male patron verbally abused him, threatened him with physical harm and then spat in his face.

Willmott said he told the man to leave the bus. A woman was with the man and Willmott asked her to identify him. Willmott said she refused and he wouldn’t let her leave the bus.

Willmott said he was fired for overreacting to the assault after the woman filed a complaint to the LTC.

He said he was offered his job back a month later, with the stipulation that he sign disciplinary paperwork and agree his month-long termination constituted an unpaid suspension.

“I don’t feel I should be disciplined. I might have made a mistake keeping the woman on the bus, but they (the LTC) haven’t given us any legal training,” said Willmott, who turned down the LTC offer.

The union that represents bus drivers — the Amalgamated Transit Union — and the LTC are in talks about the case.

Willmott, who’s driven a bus for 34 years, said it’s the third time he’s been assaulted by a rider.

“We’re constantly getting this from people. People just hate bus drivers.”

Though the LTC declined to comment on Willmott’s case, general manager Larry Ducharme said it will meet with union representatives and a mediator.

“They have a grievance and there is a grievance/arbitration process and we’re following it,” he said.

Brian Tansy, president of ATU Local 741, said drivers need more training to deal with abusive riders, and the LTC needs to be accommodating for drivers who respond in the heat of the moment after they’re assaulted.

“When our drivers are attacked, they’re told to continue driving. No psychological aftercare was taken,” Tansy said.

“We don’t believe there is such a thing as a minor assault,” he said. “No assault is warranted.”

jennifer.bieman@sunmedia.ca

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