Bob Kinnear President ATU 113

ATU 113 Welcomes You

Current News

Toronto transit union not to comment during TTC driver investigation

 February 4, 2010

 A TTC bus operator has been suspended pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a video purportedly recording the operator taking a seven-minute washroom break and buying a coffee at a doughnut shop at 3:00 a.m. last Friday.

As the matter is under investigation, Local 113 of the Amalgamated Transit Union will not be commenting on this incident or on any other matters that may bear on it.

TTC Collector at centre of controversy saved disabled man's life

January 24, 2010

While on the job as a Wheel-Trans bus operator in 1994, an alert George Robitaille saved the life of a disabled passenger he had been dispatched to pick up. Brian Mitchell, who had fallen inside his home and was near unconsciousness, would have died had Robitaille not immediately responded to signs that something was wrong in Mitchell's house. Full story.

For his quick reaction, Robitaille was awarded the 1995 Transit Community Watch of the Year Award, a story that was reported at the time on page 5 of the Toronto Sun. Last Friday, however, a picture of Robitaille leaning back in his chair in his Collector's booth with his eyes closed took up the entire front page of the Sun, unleashing a storm of negative, often vituperative, public reaction, much of it directed at TTC workers in general. More>

ATU 113 Statement on picture of TTC Collector  

January 22, 2010

The following statement is issued by Bob Kinnear, President of ATU Local 113, which represents Operating and Maintenance employees of the Toronto Transit Commission:

There have been many media enquires about a picture taken at 10:00 p.m. on January 9 of a TTC Collector described as "sleeping" in the booth.

The TTC is conducting an enquiry on this and until it is completed the union will have no comment on the matter except this:

Whatever the outcome of the enquiry, it is very discouraging that the picture taker and, apparently, other customers, made no attempt to determine if there was anything wrong with this TTC employee. A simple knock on the glass might have determined if the Collector was, in fact, asleep, or whether he was unconscious as a result of some medical problem. The reports that passengers were laughing at him as they passed by the booth makes this even more disturbing.

The union will comment further at an appropriate time.

ATU 113 public poll finds "huge support" for free TTC rides for World War II and Korean War vets

December 16, 2009

A public poll commissioned by Local 113 of the Amalgamated Transit Union found that four out of five City of Toronto residents approve the idea of giving free public transit service on the TTC to Canadian veterans of World War II and the Korean War.

"We're not surprised but we're gratified at the huge public support for our proposal," said Local 113 President Bob Kinnear.

Kinnear had advocated the free service for vets at the November meeting of the Toronto Transit Commission. The Commissioners will consider the proposal at its January 2010 meeting. Full story>

Poll results

Bob Kinnear returned as Toronto transit union president in record voter turnout

December 3, 2009

Bob Kinnear was elected Wednesday to a third consecutive three-year term as president of Local 113 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents over 9500 operations and maintenance workers of the Toronto Transit Commission and Veolia Transportation in York Region.

Kinnear, 39, won 78 per cent of the votes over rival Cosimo Lacaria in a record turnout of nearly 7000 members.

"I am grateful to the members for such a strong vote of confidence in what we have accomplished in the past six years and what we plan for the future," said Kinnear.

"There are many challenges facing Toronto's public transit system and ATU 113 members will be on the leading edge of the solutions."

Top officers also elected yesterday were Manny Sforza, Executive Vice President; Rocco Signorile, Secretary-Treasurer and Frank Grimaldi as Assistant Business Agent - Transportation. Scott Gordon ran unopposed for Assistant Business Agent - Maintenance.

The new Executive Board will also include Bill Chrisp, At-Large Maintenance; Bill Fowlie, Equipment 'A'; John DiNino, Equipment 'E'; Bill Merlin, Hillcrest; Pino D'Armiento, Plant; Cliff Piggott, Arrow Road, Caldari, Mount Dennis, Newmarket; Carmen Lint, Birchmount/Malvern; Mark Bertoia, Bloor-Danforth Subway/SRT/Eglinton/Wheel-Trans; Paul Haynes, Queensway, Roncesvalles/Russell; Ian Mackay, Wilson Bus & Subway; John Wales, Collectors/Clerical/TCT/Patten/Traffic Checkers/Wheel-Trans Administration.

The new Board takes office in January, 2010.

Executive Board Vote Results

Shop Steward Vote Results

Health & Safety Rep Vote Results 

Toronto transit union honours former CUPE Toronto leader Brian Cochrane

November 15, 2009

The following statement was issued by Bob Kinnear, President of the Amalgamated Transit Workers Local 113, which represents more than 9,000 Operations and Maintenance staff of the Toronto Transit Commission.

"It is with sadness that we hear of the untimely passing of Brian Cochrane, who led the Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416 for many years with great conviction, courage and success. He was a passionate, straightforward and trusted brother in the union family. Local 113 could always count on his influential support when things got tough.

"We extend our condolences to his immediate family and to his large extended family in his union. He helped make Toronto a better place. We will all miss him." 

 Transit union supports Argos new high school football program

September 24, 2009

Local 113 was on hand at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate in northwest Toronto to celebrate the launch of the "Level the Playing Field" program of The Argos Foundation, in partnership with the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success. Local 113 has been a major supporter of the Argos Foundation since its inception. Full story & pictures> 

Local 113 supports Courage Canada, a unique hockey program for visually impaired children.

September 23, 2009

ATU Local 113 is a proud supporter of Courage Canada, a Federally-registered non-profit organization founded in 2008 by Mark John DeMontis to give visually impaired children an opportunity to play hockey. Promoting awareness and fundraising for the unique program, the only one of its kind in the world, was the reason DeMontis began his “Quest to the West” on June 27. Starting in Toronto, Mark has been inline skating the 5000 kilometres to Vancouver, where he and his team expect to arrive in mid-October. Pictures>

Local 113 Golf Tournament boosts MS Research funds to $41,000 in 2009

August 28, 2009

The Annual Local 113 Golf Tournament was held this year at the Angus Glen course in Markham, Ontario. There were 216 players, including guests from other ATU locals from as far away as Boston. As always, proceeds from the tournament went to Multiple Sclerosis Research. $14,000 was raised this year, bringing the total amount raised for MS Research by ATU Local 113 in 2009 to $41,000. Thanks to the players and our generous sponsors for their contributions to the success of this always-popular event: Tournament gallery.

Operator protection shields finally being installed on TTC vehicles

July 16, 2009

After years of union/management negotiation, TTC surface vehicle Operators are finally getting protection from being assaulted. Several hundred buses have already been retrofitted with retractable plastic shields that will prevent ATU members from being attacked or spit on. Streetcars and the remaining bus fleet should be all equipped by sometime in 2010. At the union’s insistence, Operators will have the option of whether or not to use the shield, depending on their judgement of the situation. Assaults against TTC Operators have been growing in recent years and a spontaneous incident that shut down the TTC for a half-day in May 2006 was triggered in part by union members’ frustration at TTC inaction on the issue. CITY-TV recently reported on the shields’ installation. Reporter Francis D’Souza interviewed a female streetcar Operator who has been assaulted several times. Watch video

Operators and Collectors Job Evaluation Arbitration Award

June 25, 2009

TTC Operators and Collectors will be getting a 1.2% wage increase on July 1, 2009 following the decision of independent arbitrator Howard D. Brown on the Job Evaluation dispute between ATU 113 and the Toronto Transit Commission. The union and the TTC had negotiated a job evaluation in the 2002-05 collective agreement but disputes around the approach and method to be used delayed the process for several years. Hearings began in January 2007 and finished in May 2009. Besides the wage increase of 37 cents per hour as of July 1st, Operators and Collectors on the payroll as of 2002 will receive a one-time retroactive lump sum payment of $4,400 each by September 1, 2009. Those who were hired or who retired after 2002 will receive a prorated retroactive payment. Read decision> 

Memorial dedicated to Tony Almeida

April 23, 2009

In a subdued ceremony in midtown Toronto attended by family, co-workers, friends, ATU executive members and TTC officials, a memorial plaque was dedicated to the memory of Antonio Almeida, the ATU Local 113 member killed in a tragic accident in the Yonge subway tunnel near Eglinton two years earlier. See video>.  

Toronto transit union member Rick Ball breaks world record in Boston Marathon

April 20, 2009

At 3:01:50, ATU 113 member and TTC Subway Mechanic Rick Ball has just posted the fastest time in world marathon history for a single leg amputee. Finishing in the top six percent of all runners in the 113th Boston Marathon, Ball beat the previous 3:04:00 record for a single amputee set by Australian Amy Winters at the 2007 Chicago Marathon.

Ball’s time is now recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federations as the reigning world record for single leg amputee marathoners.

“We are thrilled that Rick has achieved his dream of setting a world record in the world’s most famous marathon,” says Bob Kinnear, President of ATU 113, which represents 9,000 workers at the Toronto Transit Commission.

“Besides being a world class runner, he is also a world class human being, who gives much of his time to inspiring and helping children achieve their own dreams. We could not be prouder that he is a member of our union.”

UPDATE: One month after Boston, Rick set a new world record for the 10K distance at the Nordion Ottawa 10K Marathon. Shortly afterwards, he was invited to join Canada’s Paralympics Team and began the journey toward his next dream of representing Canada in the 2012 London Paralympics. On June 27, 2009, Rick ran the 10,000 meter event at the Canadian Track and Field Championships in Toronto and finished an amazing 14th overall, winning the Gold Medal in the T44 category (single leg amputee).

Media Reports>
 

 ATU 113 supports greater penalties for guns and assaults on TTC

February 23, 2009

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 came out strongly today in support of Ontario MPP Mike Colle's private member's bill that would impose a fine of up to $50,000 for anyone carrying a weapon onto a public transit vehicle and prescribe a two-year sentence for anyone who commits an act of violence against a transit employee or passenger. The union and Colle also want the federal government to amend the Criminal Code to provide for longer jail time for transit system assaults. Full story> 

ATU officers attend funeral of slain bus driver in New York City

December 8, 2008

ATU Local 113 President Bob Kinnear led a small delegation to New York City to attend the funeral of Edwin Thomas, a Bus Operator for the Metropolitan Transit Authority who was stabbed to death by a passenger over a transfer dispute. Full story>

View New York TV news story

ATU 113-TTC Burkett arbitration award (October) and
Memorandum of Settlement (April)

To view both documents in their entirety, click here