Author: nanderson

On World Suicide Prevention Day, the TTC and Distress Centres of Greater Toronto announced a new outreach and support program to assist riders who witness suicides and attempts on subway routes. While ATU Local 113 agrees with the purpose and goals of this initiative, the TTC has yet again neglected an important part of the issue: the worker.

There is no disputing that suicides are an absolute tragedy that can have serious effects on witnesses.

That trauma can be multiplied as the operator of a subway train entering a station and having to experience such a tragedy. It can also be traumatic for workers who typically perform track repair duties.

As the stigma regarding mental health issues decreases, more TTC workers are coming forward acknowledging that they need help. Workers are being diagnosed with varying degrees of PTSD and need access to resources they have never needed to seek before.

On May 3, 2019, ATU Local 113 reached out to the TTC to form a partnership to expand Peer Support, getting the Joint Health and Safety Committees involved in worker outreach, dealing with PTSD in the workplace and the special circumstances affecting those employees dealing with the aftermath of a subway suicide.

ATU Local 113 wanted to collaborate with the TTC and form a Peer Group Committee. We wanted the TTC to step up and show their employees the same care and concern that they are showing the public today. As of this date, these requests have gone unanswered. No reply to the letter, no telephone call, no email.

Today’s announcement is good news for the public, but does not address the profound effects suicides have on workers.

We call on the TTC to build on today’s initiative to also protect workers.

ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos today released the following statement to members regarding the TTC pleading guilty to a violation of the Ontario Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in the death of our Brother Tom Dedes who worked as a track maintenance worker:

“This is a sad day for our union as we continue to grieve for Tom Dedes, an ATU Local 113 member who left us too soon. Today, we offer our deepest condolences and support to Tom Dedes’ family, friends and co-workers.

The TTC today finally admitted guilt for violating the Ontario Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Act by ‘failing to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.’

Today’s guilty plea is further evidence the TTC must do more to protect its workers. ATU Local 113 will continue to support our union representatives on the Joint Health and Safety Committee to ensure the TTC is held accountable and exercises due diligence with implementing all recommended changes to create a safer workplace for all.

The TTC’s admission of guilt and the resulting fine is a somewhat hollow victory for Tom Dedes’ family, friends and co-workers who still deal with the tragic events and will continue to deal with the circumstances of his loss for the rest of their lives.

The TTC should have ended this case much sooner. The TTC legal team had possession of all the reports, statements and Ontario Ministry of Labour documents for a long time, but waited until attending court, one month shy of two years since the incident occurred, to admit guilt and settle. As is usual in these cases, the only people who come out ahead are the TTC’s lawyers as the TTC continues to waste taxpayers’ money fighting cases dealing with important health and safety matters.

For the TTC, the case is over when the fine is paid. However, for those left behind who continue to work day after day at the TTC, the situation is far from over.

For almost two years, family, friends, co-workers and investigators have dealt with trauma. Thoughts of that night, reliving the experience throughout the investigation and anticipating reliving the events in an unfamiliar court environment have caused many sleepless nights and stressful days for those involved. Looking at these experiences, our union’s position is that the TTC failed to provide an adequate support system for the employees who witnessed the incident and experienced trauma, which is unacceptable.

The file is closed on the case, but the work is not done. Now, we move forward. We learn from this horrible lesson and do our best to ensure another group of workers does not need to go through this experience.

We remember Tom Dedes and we continue to offer support, kindness and understanding to those still suffering. We look ahead and do our jobs safely. We have the right to work safe and come home safe. Now, more than ever, members need to have an awareness of their work environment and exercise their rights if, at any time, they do not feel safe.

ATU Local 113 will continue to fight for the TTC to provide a safer workplace and proper support for all workers who experience trauma.”

This Monday, September 2, Keep Transit Public by marching with your ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers in the Labour Day parade!

We must recognize everything the Canadian Labour movement has accomplished together and recommit ourselves to improving workers’ lives. That means sending the Ford government a clear message: Toronto’s subway is NOT for sale!

See you Monday in a powerful showing of solidarity. Find the full details below: