Author: Erika Mackenzie

ATU Local 113 welcomes the decision of the City of Toronto to allocate increased operational and maintenance funding for public transit. The positive impact of these investments will be felt by the people who live and work in Toronto and who rely on public transportation every day.

After years of neglect and abdication of responsibilities by previous municipal governments to invest in the maintenance and operations of public transit services, the City’s leadership has demonstrated their determination to help improve the lives of Torontonians.

We appreciate the City’s leadership for their thoughtful process of consultation with all stakeholders in the city, truly listening to the everyday struggles of the people and rolling up their sleeves to do the hard work of finding effective solutions that will have an immediate and positive impact on the lives of transit users and workers.

Toronto [January 31, 2024] — In a united front, the leadership of CUPE Local 79, ATU Local 113 and the Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union – CUPE Local 4948 came together this morning to urge Mayor Chow to keep the staff-proposed critical investments in City services in the 2024 City Budget. Collectively, these three union locals represent over 44,000 workers responsible for delivering essential municipal services in Toronto.

Nas Yadollahi, President of CUPE Local 79 (representing approximately 30,000 City workers), emphasized the dire need to repair City-run social services. Yadollahi noted: “Our members who work on the frontlines of the shelter system and in long-term care homes have experienced a deepening crisis in response to a decade of cuts and austerity budgets. We finally have proposed investments to begin fixing these collapsing services.”

Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113 (representing approximately 12,000 transit workers), underscored the pivotal role of transit workers in keeping the city moving: “Against a backdrop of worsening traffic conditions, we need to invest in our transit system to enhance service levels and ensure the safe and accessible transport of Torontonians throughout the city.”

Brandon Haynes, President of Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union – CUPE Local 4948, (representing 2,100 Toronto Public Library workers), highlighted the significance of Toronto’s Library workers: “Library workers are the heart of their communities. Investing in our libraries ensures better access to these community hubs of learning and support for all people of Toronto regardless of their background. The Toronto Public Library is the one of the busiest urban public library systems in the world and therefore needs to receive the required resources to respond to the growing needs of a city as diverse as Toronto”.

2024 ATU scholarship program in memory of James La Sala sponsored by the ATU International office, Silver Spring, MD

This year’s scholarships are in remembrance of former International president emeritus James La Sala, who passed away on October 8, 2022.

La Sala began his career in the transit industry as a bus operator for the public service coordinated transport of New Jersey in 1946, where he joined local 824-New Brunswick, NJ, and was elected shop steward. He was subsequently elected vice president, financial secretary and then, in 1962 president/business agent of the local.

“Jim La Sala was a legend in the ATU. Under his leadership, he initiated and revived programs at the international that helped our union navigate some of the most tumultuous years of its history, including our greyhound strike,” said ATU International president John Costa. “Jim was a fearless and respected leader who built the ATU into a powerful union. He embodied the ATU and even recently attended our 60th international convention in Las Vegas. During his tenure, La Sala expanded ATU education initiatives, broadened ATU legislative programs, revamped ATU organizing, and revived the ATU-Cope program.

In 1968 La Sala joined the international staff as an international representative. He was first elected international vice-president in 1969 and was elected international executive vice president at the international convention in 1981. When international president John rowland retired in 1985, he recommended to the general executive board that La Sala become the international preisdent and they elected him. He was formally elected international president at the 1986 convention and was re-elected every three years until his retirement in 2003.

We hope the recipients of this year’s scholarships named in his honor, will use them in part to study union and community organizing, and grow to fight injustices everywhere.

This year, the program will consist of five scholarships in the amount of $8,000.00 in addition, a $2,000.00 scholarship may be awarded to a technical or vocational school applicant.

For questions or further information, please contact the ATU International, directly, as per the regulations and procedures.

Official application forms can be obtained here, https://atu.communityforce.com.

Funeral Details

Paul Haynes Obituary – Toronto, ON | Vescio Funeral Homes Inc.

ATU Local 113 was in the Court of Appeal on January 15, 2024, fighting to maintain its right to strike. In May 2023 Local 113’s legal team at UPFH led by, Ian Fellows, had the ban on strikes by workers at the TTC declared unconstitutional as an unlawful denial of members Charter right to freedom of association. Doug Ford’s government is appealing that decision. The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision. 

It is with deep sadness that ATU Local 113 announces the passing of Paul Haynes, former Executive Board Member.

Brother Haynes was a valued and active member of our Local, having served us as Shop Steward for Roncesvalles and as the Executive Board Member representing Queensway/Roncesvalles/Russell (2010 – 2012). He is remembered for his contributions to supporting our members and engaging them in our union. He enjoyed his time working with the Board and was passionate about fighting for the rights of our members through grievances and the arbitration process. He was very proud of the outcomes he achieved on behalf of our operators and his time serving our members.

Brother Haynes passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024, with his loving family by his side. He was born on March 25, 1953, to Eustace Haynes and Dorothy Haynes and lived his early years in Aruba. He is survived by his wife Clara Batista, three children, and four grandchildren.

Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Further details will be announced.

The Executive Board

ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 noted that Sunday’s fire incident underscores the need to have more operators on trains. Had the train been in the tunnels as opposed to the station, the passengers would have been at heightened risk because Line 1 trains only have one operator on board, ATU Local 113 said in a statement.

Fire chief warns of e-bike safety risk after TTC incident (thestar.com)

ATU Local 113 has called on the TTC to bring back the approach of having two operators on trains following a fire at Yonge-Sheppard station on Sunday

Here’s how the Toronto subway e-bike fire erupted | CP24.com

Happy New Year! ATU Local 113 wishes you happiness, prosperity, and good fortune in 2024.

ATU Local 113 wishes a happy Kwanza to all who celebrate! Kwanzaa is a festival of unity, faith, love, and creativity. I hope it fills your life with all these wonderful things. Happy Kwanzaa!