The TTC Must Improve its Communication to Employees

Sisters and Brothers,

With hardly any notice, the TTC announced a new policy yesterday that will force ATU Local 113 members to wear safety glasses with side shields, prescription safety glasses with side shields or a face shield when working in public areas.

From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, ATU Local 113’s Executive has fought hard to secure health and safety protections for members. We will always support and do what’s needed to protect our members.

However, yet again, the TTC misses the mark with its communication. The fact that the TTC gave our members under 48 hours notice before this policy goes into effect is completely unacceptable.

Our members are already under enough stress working on the frontlines during a global pandemic. Instead of properly communicating the new policy in a timely manner, the TTC has side swiped our members adding unnecessary confusion to their already tough jobs.

ATU Local 113 understands these new guidelines came from the Ontario government but the company could have given our members a week’s notice at the very least. Instead of working with ATU Local 113 to announce and implement health and safety measures, the TTC has side swiped our members with draconian measures.

To provide more clarity on the new requirement, operators working behind the protective barrier or in the cab do not need to wear face shields. Maintenance workers working in employee-only areas do not need to wear face shields either.

The TTC needs to do better when communicating new policy notices. ATU Local 113 will be ensuring management gives our members proper notice and clarity on all future communications.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 Bus Operator at Mount Dennis Division Tests Positive for COVID-19

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator at Mount Dennis division, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

I spoke to the member who is self isolating at home. On behalf of all ATU Local 113 members, we wish them a quick and full recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Friday, November 6 from 3:50 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. They received the positive test result on Thursday, November 12.

This case marks the 138th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 160 employees at the TTC have tested positive for COVID-19.

Please practice physical distancing as much as possible before, during and after your shifts – and stay home if you feel unwell. If you have been tested and are awaiting your results, please stay home and self-isolate.

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 Bus Operator from Wilson Division Tests Positive for COVID-19

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator from Wilson division, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

I spoke to the member who is self isolating at home. On behalf of all ATU Local 113 members, we wish them a quick and full recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Sunday, November 8 from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This case marks the 137th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 159 employees at the TTC have tested positive for COVID-19.

Please practice physical distancing as much as possible before, during and after your shifts – and stay home if you feel unwell. If you have been tested and are awaiting your results, please stay home and self-isolate.

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Online Information Meeting: Sunday, October 18

Sisters and Brothers,

ATU Local 113 will be hosting a virtual information session for members through Zoom on Sunday, October 18 at 10 a.m. Members can register at the link below by providing their full name, email address, badge number and work location.

Please note that the cut off time for registration is 3 p.m. on October 17.

Zoom Registration Link

After registering, members will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with their secure personalized link. They will be able to participate by clicking on that link at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 18.

Members are encouraged to submit their questions at the time of registration, but there will also be a live moderated Q&A period at the meeting.

For security reasons, only computer access will be allowed. There will be no option to phone in to the webinar.

We look forward to speaking with you soon.

 

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Online Information Session For Members: Sunday, September 20

Sisters and Brothers,

ATU Local 113 will be hosting a virtual information session for members through Zoom on Sunday, September 20 at 10 a.m. Members can register at the link below by providing their full name, email address, badge number and work location.

Please note that the cut off time for registration is 3 p.m. on September 19.

Zoom Registration Link

After registering, members will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with their secure personalized link. They will be able to participate by clicking on that link at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 20.

Members are encouraged to submit their questions at the time of registration, but there will also be a live moderated Q&A period at the meeting.

For security reasons, only computer access will be allowed. There will be no option to phone in to the webinar.

We look forward to speaking with you soon.

 

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Passing of Retired ABA Steve Anthony

We regret to inform of the passing of Steve Anthony on Friday July 24th, 2020. Steve retired in 2007 after dedicating himself to represent 3,500 maintenance employees as an ATU Local 113 Assistant Business Agent.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, August 1st, 2020 from 2p.m. to 4p.m. with words of remembrance at 3:30p.m. – Carruthers & Davidson Funeral Home – Wasaga Beach Chapel, 509 River Road East. A private invitation based reception is to follow. Please note a maximum of 50 people will be permitted indoors at one time, with health measures in place, including physical distancing from those who are not from the same household or social circle. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Georgian Triangle – Campbell House or the Hospital for Sick Children.

Visitation

When
Saturday, August 1st, 2020 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Location
Carruthers & Davidson Funeral Home – Wasaga Beach Chapel

Address
509 River Road West
WASAGA BEACH, ON L9Z 2X2

Get Directions: View Map |

Toronto Public Health Report Confirms Air Contamination in Subway System

ATU Local 113 Continues Fight for Clean Air

A report released on Monday, January 6, 2020 by the Toronto Public Health department recognizes issues exist regarding air quality in the city’s subway system, including PM 2.5 contamination.

This new report confirms the problems regarding air quality contamination in the subway system are legitimate. ATU Local 113 has demanded that the TTC clean the dirty air in the subway system since a 2017 Health Canada study revealed that Toronto’s subway stations and trains had the highest levels of air pollution of Canada’s three major rapid transit system.

“The fact that the Toronto Public Health department is recommending short, as well as mid and long-term mitigation measures indicates there are obvious risks,” said Carlos Santos, ATU Local 113 President.

These concerns are shared by CUPE Local 2, which represents hundreds of additional TTC employees. In late 2019, charges were laid against the TTC under the Environmental Protection Act related to PM 2.5 contamination, resulting from ATU Local 113’s ongoing advocacy on this important workplace health issue.

Toronto Public Health has also confirmed in discussions earlier today that the report does not address exposures to people working in subway areas, including ATU Local 113 members, other unionized workers in the TTC Subway system, as well as others in the many shops and services.

“If the conditions in the subway require many kinds of mitigation for passengers, any reasonable person has to be deeply concerned about what this means for anyone who works there for their living. It is extremely disturbing that Toronto Public Health wasn’t directed to look at this issue, knowing that the risks are obviously far greater for employees,” said Santos.

ATU Local 113 is raising serious concerns that the TTC is not prioritizing employee health and safety. While the TTC tries to paint a rosy picture of the subway air quality, the fact is too many employees are exposed to PM 2.5 contamination.

Enough is enough.

ATU Local 113 will continue to demand that the TTC make workplace health and safety a priority – and allow workers to take appropriate measures to protect themselves from health risks.

Toronto Public Health has further indicated the report does not apply to anyone who may have an existing medical condition, instead recommending they speak to a healthcare professional.
“When the city’s own health department recommends that passengers seek independent medical advice before using our city’s transit system, there is a major problem that needs to be addressed immediately,” said Santos.

Happy holidays!

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to all ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers celebrating– and a special thanks to those who will be keeping Toronto moving through December. Wishing you peace and joy with friends and family this holiday season.

A reminder of our holiday office hours:

Closes at noon – December 24
Closed – December 25
Closed – December 26
Closes at noon – December 31
Closed – January 1

2019 in Review: Getting Transit Back on Track

2019 was a landmark year for the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113. It was the year we got transit back on track.

Under new leadership, ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers fought back against the subway upload and won! Among the year’s many accomplishments, stopping the provincial government from uploading the subway was a major victory for our workers and Toronto’s transit riders.

In addition to the subway upload, 2019 was a year of protecting TTC workers’ health and safety. ATU Local 113 members have also been very active in the community volunteering at local events and donating to many great causes.

Lastly, ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos is excited to announce one more major development from this year. On December 3, ATU International approved online voting for ATU Local 113’s future elections.

Despite all the things we accomplished together in 2019, ATU Local 113 members know that the fight for workers’ rights continues in 2020. Get involved in the movement and sign up here to join the fight.

This past fall before the Toronto City Council vote on the TTC Subway upload, ATU Local 113 was prepared to launch a public campaign to apply maximum pressure on Premier Ford’s government to stop his disastrous plan. Although the following video was never released because the Ontario government backed down on their attempt to steal Toronto’s subway, we would like members to know that ATU Local 113 was always at the ready. You can watch the video of that planned campaign below.