Author: Brianna Rennie

ATU Local 113 thanks Kevin Rupasinghe (Ward 20 – Scarborough South-West), for his tireless efforts to improve our city, and for a well-fought municipal election campaign. To keep Toronto moving forward, we will continue to work together to be the voices of Toronto, for public transit and transit workers.

ATU Local 113 thanks Chiara Padovani (Ward 5 York South – Weston) for her dedicated and tireless efforts to improve our city, and for a well-fought municipal election campaign. To keep Toronto moving forward, we will continue to work together to be the voices of Toronto, for public transit and transit workers.

ATU Local 113 congratulates the newly elected City Councillors. With a strong and diverse City Council, we can keep Toronto moving forward, and work together to be the voices of Toronto for public transit and transit workers. Congratulations:

• Amber Morley – Ward 3, Etobicoke-Lakeshore
• Jamaal Myers – Ward 23, Scarborough North
• Gord Perks – Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park
• Alejandra Bravo – Ward 9, Davenport
• Ausma Malik – Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York
• Anthony Perruzza – Ward 7, Humber River-Black Creek
• Shelley Carroll – Ward 17, Don Valley North
• Nick Mantas – Ward 22, Scarborough-Agincourt

Today, Executive Board Member, Brian Connolly was out canvasing with York South-Weston candidate Chiara Padovani! We encourage all members to vote in this year’s municipal election on October 24^th.

ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred joined CUPE members, Yolanda McClean, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE, Laura Walton, President of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario School Boards Council of Unions (OBSCU) and Fred Hahn, President, CUPE, at today’s rally in support of their fight for fair wages.

Toronto has the choice to vote for a Mayor, Councillors, and School Board Trustees that will work hard to improve this city. We cannot risk essential services, such as transit, being contracted out and privately owned. Public transit needs to remain public, and that is why ATU Local 113 had endorsed and continues to support candidates who are advocating for this too. Our members were out canvassing for candidates across the city in the lead up to next Monday’s election.  Members are encouraged to read about their local candidates, ask them questions, volunteer, and most importantly – get out and vote on October 24^th!

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped today to prepare for the Labour Day Parade tomorrow!

Reminder to all our ATU Local 113 members to join us with your families at the parade tomorrow and to collect your Labour Day gifts!  See you all tomorrow!

ATU Local 113 is standing in solidarity with striking of OPSEU Local 546 (TSSA) workers Rally, on Friday Sept 2, 2022, along with the Toronto & York Region Labour Council.

ATU Local 113 Executive Board Member Brian Connolly with OPSEU President JP Hornick & striking OPSEU Local 546 (TSSA) workers.

ATU Local 113 Executive Board Member Brian Connolly with Toronto & York Region Labour Council President Andria Babbington – UNITE HERE 75, Toronto & York Region Labour Council Vice President Jeff Irons – IBEW Local 353, Toronto & York Region Labour Council Secretary Treasurer Abdi Hagi Yusuf – CUPW Toronto, and striking OPSEU Local 546 (TSSA) workers.

Premier Doug Ford has put forward legislation that will give Mayor John Tory more powers to make decisions in secret. This is designed to allow the City of Toronto to privatize more TTC jobs faster.

Toronto doesn’t need the Mayor to have more power, Toronto needs a mayor with the courage to use the powers he has to stand up for the people of this city.

Local 113 Board members were pleased to see NDP MPP Tom Rakocevic deliver our message to the Ontario Legislature yesterday. “Toronto has already been weakened by key decisions being moved out of public debate and into secret backrooms. This legislation will only move more decisions into secret negotiations.”

In the next few years, binding contracts will signed with private, for-profit companies to build and operate new lines that will impact service across Toronto. Premier Ford’s strong mayor legislation will only empower Mayor Tory to make more backroom deals and speed up contracting out and cutting TTC service. TTC’s privatization doesn’t just help corporations make more money, it reduces wages and opportunities for workers. The TTC has always been a way for people, especially from diverse equity-seeking groups, to gain access to entry level jobs, get training, and then advance. The current TTC leadership’s contracting out plan will turn every TTC job into a dead end, low wage job.

Local 113 is grateful to MPP Rakocevic for his support in our fight to defend quality public transit service for the people of Toronto.

At the General Meeting held yesterday, ATU Local 113 Members, Shop Stewards and the Executive Board proudly recognized Lou Kellen and Ian Cooper for their heroism! Last week, these two transit heroes saved the life of a 4-year-old girl who wandered onto the tracks at Warden Station.