ATU Heroes — ATU Heroes in Halifax, NS and Portland, OR
ATU members are more than workers—they are everyday heroes. From helping lost children to handling unexpected challenges and providing assistance to those in need, ATU members often go above and beyond the call of duty and play an indispensable role in keeping their communities moving Their unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, compassion, and dedication to their job make them our heroes. These are a few of their stories.
A Life-Saving Act of Courage in Halifax, NS
On a freezing December morning, a Local 508-Halifax, NS, ferry crew spotted someone falling into the icy waters. As their ferry prepared to depart, they acted swiftly, radioing the incoming ferry to alert them to the emergency.
Captain Gabe Benoit, Mate Shannon Cunningham, Engineer Jason Barnes, Deckhands Ben McInnes, Bill Clark, and the security team aboard the approaching ferry didn’t hesitate for a moment.
Shannon, a certified rescue swimmer, dove into the frigid water without a second thought, immediately reaching the individual in distress. With the help of the rest of the crew, she managed to pull the person to safety, bringing them safely back to shore.
Local 757-Portland, OR, Hero Safely De-Escalates Bus Hijacking
Our Local 757-Portland, OR, Brother Mike Perrault is being hailed as a hero for de-escalating a hijacking of his bus by a gun-wielding rider. The dangerous incident began when an armed man began shooting his gun in the air in a crowd of people as Perrault’s bus pulled up.
The suspect then pointed his gun at Perrault from the street, demanding to get on the bus. Perrault, who was talking to Dispatch on his radio, opened both bus doors to allow his passengers to safely get off his bus. Perrault then tried to calm down the assailant, saying, “You’re OK, man; you’re OK. You’re OK, buddy; you’re OK, I promise.” The suspect told our Brother to just drive and not slow down. Police were alerted and followed the bus.
Once the hijacker realized police were following the bus, he asked Perrault to stop the bus and handed him the gun, which Perrault threw out the window. The hijacker then allowed Perrault to exit the bus. The man was eventually forced out and arrested after police released a chemical agent inside the bus.
Selfless Actions in Moments of Crisis
In moments of crisis, our members’ quick thinking, expert training, and selfless actions can make all the difference. We honor and salute their bravery and unwavering dedication to keeping our communities safe.
If you have a hero story about one of our members going above and beyond the call of duty, please send it to officeofthepresident@atu.org.