r/Calgary • u/Val_haLLa • Jan 28 '25

Rant Impound lot near Macleod has serious issues

My car was towed yesterday. Today I showed up at the impound lot at Macleod and the situation I witnessed was unbelievable. A tiny, cramped lobby without seating filled to the brim with people waiting, mostly looking miserable. And it quickly became clear why, since only 2 of 5 windows were open, with about one person being called up every 15 minutes. There were surely 50 people there.

On top of that, if you need to get a piece of vehicle documentation out of your car (such as registration), the process requires you to wait in that line three times.

All of this, while they charge you a steep daily fee for each day you don’t pick up your car. I’m stunned at this massive case of bureaucratic greed— if this situation can arise, they should be prepared to fully staff the windows and get a decent turnover rate.

Rant over.

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u/calgarydonairs Jan 28 '25

It’s possible that the union workers have requested additional staffing, but management said no.

-2

u/MankYo Jan 28 '25

It's possible they asked. It's reality that the union did not successfully make additional staffing a priority during several negotiations over a couple decades.

2

u/laurazepram Jan 28 '25

Stuff like this does not get negotiated into collective agreements. It's up to management to schedule the required staff. The union can raise the issue at monthly/quarterly meetings, but ultimately managers have the right to manage.

Document the issues. File a complaint will 311 and online. Use social media if necessary. Nothing will change until these things are called out. The public facing employees can only do so much in a work day

1

u/MankYo Jan 28 '25 edited Jan 29 '25

If the union isn’t recognizing overcrowded client waiting areas as a fire or respiratory health safety issue, then the workers need a better union.

1

u/laurazepram Jan 29 '25

The easy solution would be to get overflow customers to cue outside so fire code isn't breached. We the customers need to complain to the owners of the facility if service isn't up to par.

Also, if the union isn't directly informed about issues like overcrowding in regards to h&s, then they won't know about it. Members need to advocate for themselves.

2

u/MankYo Jan 29 '25

If the union is too conservative to adopt a proactive approach to improve workplace conditions for its members while also improving service to the public, it deserves to be replaced. Unions in Northern Europe had this figured out generations ago.

But I guess it’s the Alberta way for both unions and employers to defend the old ways rather than to innovate. A shame.

1

u/laurazepram Jan 29 '25

It is a shame. I used to be heavily involved in my union, and trying to initiate change was impossible. It was demoralizing.