Author: Erika Mackenzie

To the Jewish community of Toronto, our Jewish members and all who celebrate, we wish you and your family a Happy Passover!

chag Pesach sameach!

As you probably know, CUPE Local 2 has been without a contract for around
two years. Management has failed to offer Local 2, which represents 700
licensed electricians at TTC, a fair contract and they have given notice that
they intend to take strike action this Monday, April 22.

We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Local 2 and will support them in any way
that we can.

The leadership of CUPE Local 2 is aware that Local 113 is not yet in a legal
strike position, and that we must act in a manner which ensures the safety of
ourselves and the public at all time. Legally, we are not permitted to join their
strike or refuse to cross their picket lines, unless there is a safety issue (which
should be reported to the appropriate TTC authority, e.g. your supervisor,
transit control etc.).

We can: join their picketing lines during our non-working hours to show
solidarity, bring snacks and coffee to picketers, show our solidarity by
supporting any messaging of CUPE Local 2, signing petitions, communicating
with our city councillors.

CUPE Local 2 deserves a fair contract as does Local 113. The public does not
want a strike, TTC Management needs to change course, and change course
quickly or it will find itself facing a legal strike by CUPE Local 2, followed by a
legal strike by Local 113.

In solidarity,

Marvin Alfred
President, ATU Local 113

On Monday April 15,  ATU Local 113 announced that the union had applied to the Ministry of Labour to request that a conciliator be appointed. This is the first step towards strike action.

ATU Local 113 President, Marvin Alfred, spoke to media with a clear message: ATU Local 113 is prepared to move to direct action up to and including a full withdrawal of services.

Online/Print

TTC workers union taking ‘first step’ towards striking | CBC News

TTC union takes ‘first step towards strike action’ in negotiations with transit agency (citynews.ca)

Radio/Broadcast

TTC workers’ union says it has taken first step toward strike action | CTV News

Union representing 10,000 TTC workers says it has taken ‘first step’ toward strike action CP24

Yesterday, ATU Local 113 notified the public about our decision to take the first steps toward a strike action.

“While this is only the first step towards strike action, ATU Local 113 is prepared to move to direct action up to and including a full withdrawal of services,”

TTC workers union taking ‘first step’ towards striking | CBC News

Yesterday ATU Local 113 president, Marvin Alfred announced our decision to request the Ministry of Labour to appoint a conciliator for the union.

“We are hoping that the conciliator will act as a resource to support our union with obtaining a fair collective agreement”

TTC union takes ‘first step towards strike action’ in negotiations with transit agency (citynews.ca)

ATU Local 113 members met with TTC CEO Rick Leary to deliver petitions on behalf of members as part of the union’s United to Win! campaign for a fair and reasonable contract. Over 80% of active members have signed the petitions at their work locations over the last month.

On Monday morning, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 said it has applied to the Ministry of Labour to request that a conciliator be appointed.

“Our union’s collective bargaining team has been working through negotiations with the TTC for weeks trying to get our members the new contract they deserve. The TTC is refusing to align with ATU Local 113 on the key priorities of transit workers, including job security, wages, and benefits”

TTC workers’ union says it has taken ‘first step’ toward strike action | CP24.com

[April 15, 2024, Toronto, ON] Our union’s collective bargaining team has been working through negotiations with the TTC for weeks trying to get our members the new contract they deserve. The TTC is refusing to align with ATU Local 113 on the key priorities of transit workers, including job security, wages, and benefits.

With no opportunity for compromise, the TTC has forced us to take the first step towards strike action. This morning, ATU Local 113 applied to the Ministry of Labour to request that a conciliator be appointed.

“We are continuing to bargain with the employer,” said Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113. “We are hoping that the conciliator will act as a resource to support our union with obtaining a fair collective agreement.”

While this is only the first step towards strike action, ATU Local 113 is prepared to move to direct action up to and including a full withdrawal of services.

For additional information, please contact media@atu113.net.

Additional Facts:

• ATU Local 113’s collective agreement expired on March 31, 2024.
• The union’s last collective bargaining agreement was issued in 2021.
• This is the first time in 10 years that the union can exercise their right to strike, following last year’s historic legal victory which restored this fundamental, constitutional right.
• The last time ATU Local 113 members went on strike was in 2008.

In response to the Scarborough RT derailment in July 2023, ATU Local 113 president, Marvin Alfred called for more transparency around safety issues at Thursday’s TTC Board Meeting.

“The public sees and understands how underfunding and mismanagement has made the (TTC) system unreliable and unsafe. The SRT derailment was just a symptom of the larger underlying problem”

TTC board asks Toronto’s auditor to probe SRT derailment (thestar.com)

The TTC has been in decline for years and consistent lack of investment in the system leaves minimal options for improvement when it comes to ensuring passengers and workers feel safe, as well as delivering high quality service.

At an April 11 TTC Board meeting, ATU Local 113 delivered a deputation centered around safety practices.

A topic of focus at the board meeting was the Scarborough RT derailment which resulted in five injuries. The root cause of the issue was a gap in maintenance – something that could have been prevented if there were adequate resources dedicated to frequent checks upgrades. Just two weeks before the derailment, Local 113 members reported this stretch of track for repair. The problems could and should have been addressed.

“The lack of accountability in leadership at the TTC is obscuring the seriousness of the problem,” said Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113 during his deputation to the Board. “The connecting theme linking incidents that threaten the public and our members safety is TTC management prioritizing statistics and cost savings over providing a consistently safe and reliable service.”

Local 113 calls on the TTC Board to launch a full and independent review of TTC’s safety and maintenance practices. The culture of secrecy at TTC is preventing the full story from coming out. Without the facts there is no way to work towards a solution.

For additional information, please contact media@atu113.net.