Today, Hon. Justice Chalmers of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found that Ontario legislation banning TTC workers from striking violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ATU Local 113 is proud to announce that our members have secured the right to strike. To read the full decision, please see the link below:
ATU Local 113 Has Won the Fight to Protect Members Right to Strike
Marvin Alfred, on behalf of the Executive Board of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, is proud to announce that today we won our fight to protect members’ right to strike.
In a historic ruling, Hon. Justice Chalmers of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found that Ontario legislation banning TTC workers from striking violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
This is a historic and important decision confirming the right to strike for working people. Further, the Court characterized the government’s request to delay the implementation of the decision until after March 31st, 2024, as unreasonable. Effective immediately the legislation is declared unconstitutional and of no force and effect.
Member Recognition: ATU Local 113 congratulates Andrew Falotico on Health and Safety Activist Award
Congratulations to ATU Local 113’s Andrew Falotico on receiving the Toronto/York Region Labour Council’s Health and Safety Activist Awards.
Andrew is the Health and Safety Representative of our local. He supports our 12,000 union members and oversees 54 Joint Health and Safety Committees by providing information and expertise on workplace health and safety.
Andrew has advocated fought for the rights of workers and riders who take the TTC subway system to have clean air. Health Canada recognized the need to have Air Quality guidelines to reduce the exposure of harmful particulate matter.
Most recently, Andrew championed the ATU 113 Violence and Harassment campaign. During the current COVID-19 recovery and transition phase, there has been an increase in incidences of violence and harassment in public spaces, especially on public transit in Toronto. The TTC is in a rapid state of decline – impacted by the inadequate public funding, declining services, a lack of affordable housing, along with many other social and economic problems. Andrew assisted in creating a survey for members of the ATU Local 113 that highlighted violence and harassment in the workplace. Through the results of the survey, he helped bring attention to the key issues, and to identify the necessary controls needed to reduce violence and harassment in the workplace, as well as drawing attention to mental health issues.
Andrew is currently involved with several organizations, including the TTC, in designing the “bus of the future” that will address several safety concerns such as blind spots that contribute to pedestrian fatalities, improved air quality in buses that will minimize and reduce viral transmission of viruses, allow for proper accessibility for patrons who have disabilities, and a proper ergonomic workstation for operators to protect them from aggravated assault and injury.
Congratulations Andrew!
Thank you NDP Leader, Jagmeet Singh for Meeting with ATU Local 113 Members
NDP federal leader, Jagmeet Singh met with ATU Local 113 members yesterday at Eglington Garage to hear the concerns of transit workers.
NDP Federal Leader, Jagmeet Singh Meets with ATU Local 113 Members
ATU Local 113 sincerely thanks NDP federal leader Jagmeet Singh for meeting members yesterday to hear the concerns of transit workers.
We thank our members at Eglinton Garage for highlighting the increased safety risks they face on the job, the needs for government agencies, like the police and the City, to work to better protect transit workers, and have better support for those who are underhoused, have mental health and addiction issues who take shelter in the transit system.
Members also spoke about the impact of contracting out good jobs, and the need for leadership at all levels of government to protect transit workers and the public. Our members offered insights into the need for investing in maintaining and operating Toronto’s public transit to keep our city moving.
Singh appreciated members for speaking with him and talked about his current priorities for improving public transit. He stated that public transit should not be seen as makeshift housing for those who are underhoused and that the government needs to do better to address this and other social issues. He spoke about working together with CUTA, ATU Canada and ATU Local 113 on changing laws to increase criminal sanctions against anyone who assault public transit workers, having a National Task Force to ensure public transit needs are addressed effectively, and to make work better for transit workers. 
National Day of Mourning
Today and everyday, ATU Local 113 is remembering all of those who have lost their lives, suffered an injury or illness on the job, or experienced a work-related tragedy.
Our members continue to experience ongoing acts of violence on public transit. We are committed to making the workplace a safer place for all and preventing future workplace tragedies.
https://vimeo.com/822011287?share=copy
Eid al-Fitr Celebration
Several ATU Local 113 members held an Eid al-Fitr celebration at Danforth. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate.
ATU Local 113 Members Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr
ATU Local 113 members celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr at various work locations, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. We hope that everyone who celebrates enjoyed a happy Eid al-Fitr.
ATU 113 Earth Day Initiative
For Earth Day 2023, ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred, Executive Board Member Mario Azzopardi, and Mount Dennis Operator Brandy McKinnon joined community leader and former MPP Faisal Hassan at the Mount Dennis Earth Day Community Clean up.
Happy Eid Al-Fitr!
ATU Local 113 would like to wish our members who celebrate a Happy Eid Al-Fitr Mubarak!