Arbitrator rejects self-defence argument from bus driver
A Newfoundland transit operator who grabbed a passenger by the throat and was headbutted in return has lost his job, with an arbitrator ruling that his actions constituted workplace violence despite his claims of self-defence.
In a decision dated Oct. 23, 2025, Christopher Peddigrew, upheld the termination of Christopher Reidpath, a 14-month employee of St. John's Transportation Commission (Metrobus), following a physical altercation with a member of the public on Aug.0 11, 2023.
The Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1462, argued that Reidpath acted in self-defence but Peddigrew found the operator initiated the physical contact and failed to follow his de-escalation training.
The incident occurred during a layover outside the Village Mall when a verbal exchange over bus routes escalated into a 22-second physical confrontation.
The passenger, referred to as "John Doe," asked Reidpath about bus routes. Video evidence showed the conversation became heated after Reidpath told the passenger, "I don't care what [the other driver] told you," when John Doe mentioned conflicting information from another operator.
As tensions escalated, John Doe stepped closer to Reidpath while yelling. The bus driver then grabbed John Doe near the collar and "almost immediately" moved his grip to the passenger's throat, according to the arbitrator's findings. During the ensuing struggle, John Doe headbutted...
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