Sisters and Brothers,
As you know, our members are on the frontlines providing a critical service for Torontonians every day during the coronavirus pandemic. For weeks, we’ve been calling for the TTC to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline transit workers.
ATU Local 113 is not asking for much – all we’re asking for is that the TTC provide proper PPE so Toronto’s public transit heroes can do their job and get back to their families safe. Yesterday’s work stoppages were an important reminder of the TTC’s responsibility to do everything it can to protect public transit workers and riders. The TTC must do more.
Since the TTC continues to shrug that responsibility, ATU Local 113 has purchased 100,000 disposable masks and is distributing them to its 12,000 members but this is ultimately the TTC’s responsibility. The TTC needs to step up.
I’d like to thank our shop stewards, Jason Dasilva, Executive Board Member from Wilson, Claudio Cappadocia, Executive Board Member from Queensway and Frank Malta, ABA in Transportation for coming down to Queensway garage and supporting our workers. I’d also like to thank John DiNino, President of ATU Canada and Manny Sforza, Vice President of ATU International for their support and solidarity with Local 113 members yesterday.
You can read more about our fight for proper protection below:
Toronto Star: At least 38 TTC bus drivers stop work over COVID-19 fears
Globe and Mail: Transit workers across Canada concerned over lack of protective gear
CP24: Dozens of TTC bus operators refuse to work due to lack of PPE
Toronto Sun: TTC union calls for protective gear after driver walkout
Global News: 38 Toronto bus drivers refuse to work, cite workplace safety concerns
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113