Yesterday, some members received an email from an ATU Local 113 staff member soliciting payment for an invoice. This email is fraudulent, and if you received the fake invoice – do not click it. Right after this occurred, technology professionals resolved the security issue and restored that individual’s email account. No other systems were impacted through the process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office at reception@atu113.net or (416) 398-5113.
Doug Ford’s Transit Priorities: Cut Fare Integration, Partner with Public Transit Competitor
Premier Doug Ford is cutting fare integration between GO Transit, the UP Express and the TTC, while his Metrolinx agency inks a deal with Lyft that’ll bring more cars on the road to compete with public transit options. President Carlos Santos asks Torontonians to consider: what are the PC Government’s transit priorities? It’s certainly not an improved and expanded public system.
Read more about the new agreement between Lyft and Metrolinx below.
Grabbing a Lyft to GO
Metrolinx and Lyft are making it easier for riders to get to and from GO Stations through a six-month pilot program.
Starting July 15, GO Customers will be able to benefit from a new partnership with ridesharing company Lyft.
By starting or ending a trip with Lyft at certain GO Stations, new and existing customers will save $4 on their next five Lyft rides. The pilot program is rolling out at Exhibition, Oakville, Unionville and Bramalea GO Stations.
During the pilot, customers can simply drop their pin in the pickup/drop-off zones in the Lyft app to get a ride in minutes. The designated pick-up and drop-off areas at each station will be marked with special signage.
This pilot provides a unique opportunity for Metrolinx to explore how working with a mobility partner like Lyft can improve connections to transit, creating more seamless journeys for customers around the region.
Making it easier to combine different travel options from the very start to the very end of every journey is also crucial in getting more people onto transit. This is becoming increasingly important as the region continues to grow. The pilot will also allow Metrolinx to test out new ways of managing increasing customer demand at our stations to ensure customers can quickly and easily access GO service.
“Our customers’ journeys begin long before they step foot onto one of our trains or buses – they begin the moment they leave their homes,” said Phil Verster, President and CEO of Metrolinx. “Working with Lyft provides us with the opportunity to create convenient solutions, while helping us offset parking pressures at our GO stations.”
“Lyft is passionate about transportation equity and reducing the need for single-occupancy personal vehicles,” says Aaron Zifkin, Managing Director for Lyft Canada. “We are proud to partner with Metrolinx in a first-last mile solution to help riders get to and from GO stations, making it even easier to travel in the GTHA without a car.”
Both Metrolinx and Lyft will continually monitor the pilot over its course and use results to inform future direction.
There is no financial cost to Metrolinx associated with this promotional partnership with Lyft.
Newly-Passed Ontario Transit Bill Raises More Questions than it Provides Answers
The Ontario Progressive Conservative government today passed its so-called Getting Ontario Moving Act that clears a path to privatization, increased fragmentation of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and a potential sell-off of vital City of Toronto assets, including existing subway stations.
“It’s incredible the Doug Ford government passed a bill with such magnitude without much, if any, public discussion,” said Carlos Santos, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113, which represents 11,500 TTC employees. “Our transit system and the workers who move Toronto every day will be entirely at the mercy of a Premier who has done little to explain how he intends to manage Canada’s largest transit system, and at what cost.”
Now that the Ford government has passed the bill that will see the province take ownership of new TTC subway infrastructure, President Carlos Santos said major decisions affecting riders and employees should only be made after extensive public consultations.
“Torontonians pay for and own the TTC, but they’ve been excluded from the conversation. It’s time for the province to respect Torontonians by seeking the support of the City of Toronto and the TTC, which has managed the system for nearly a century.”
While many questions remain unanswered, we do know the Getting Ontario Moving Act gives the Ford government the power to move forward unilaterally with its stated plans of uploading the TTC to the province and make the delivery of rapid transit projects the responsibility of Metrolinx, a provincial agency.
Decision-makers also have the ability to halt existing transit planning and replace it with new designs, to be built and operated by private companies. This could mean taking a single, integrated system of subway, bus, LRT and streetcars, and carving it up into two or more pieces operated by vastly different entities.
“If Doug Ford’s proposed Ontario Line is operated by a private company like the UP Express is, for example, a commute to work could include an additional fare,” said President Carlos Santos. “We just don’t know at this point, but history gives us reason to be concerned.”
On the infrastructure side, the Act allows the province to transfer all or some of Toronto’s assets to itself, with or without compensation. This means the province can take valuable city assets, like Union Station, without a single cent in return.
Perhaps the most worrisome section of this Act would enable the dismantling and privatization of Toronto’s public transit system without challenge, and without following existing legal protections for workers and the environment.
The Act allows the provincial cabinet to exempt a transfer of rapid transit projects from all Ontario laws. This could include worker protections in the Labour Relations Act, environmental protections in the Environmental Protection Act and more.
ATU Local 113 warns that intentional language gives the Premier the ultimate power to push plans through without challenge.
“With so much at stake, ATU Local 113 will continue to keep a very close eye on the province’s plans as they begin to be rolled out,” said President Carlos Santos. “One thing’s for sure – public transit workers are prepared to fight tooth and nail to get the province to reverse decisions that are not in the best interest of TTC riders and its employees.”
This response to the Getting Ontario Moving Act was developed by President Carlos Santos. To share your concerns on the newly passed Act with President Carlos Santos, you can find him on Twitter at @C_ATULocal113.
Rally Against Ford’s Subway Upload Scheme
Tomorrow, Sisters and Brothers are urged to rally against Premier Doug Ford’s disastrous subway upload scheme, alongside hundreds from the Canadian Union of Public Employees. This is our last chance to take a stand against the PC government and its “Getting Ontario Moving Act”. If it becomes law, Metrolinx will dismantle the TTC, privatize and contract-out jobs and exempt itself from the Labour Relations and Employment Standards Acts. That means your future employment is at risk.
Find the details:
Where: Front Lawn of Queen’s Park
111 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, ON
When: Thursday, May 30th at 12:00 p.m.
Details: Bring your Keep Transit Public swag!
Sisters and Brothers are also encouraged to join transit advocates before the rally for Question Period, and the final vote on the disastrous subway upload legislation, in Ontario’s legislature. To attend, enter the Queen’s Park building from the south basement with valid photo identification at or before 10:00 a.m.. You will be asked to leave your coat and any bags at an attended coat check. You must go through a metal detector before you enter the gallery, and you cannot wear any items of clothing with political slogans/branding.
Let’s Never Forget Brother Thomas Dunn
Senseless violence towards public transit workers result in devastating, and unnecessary, tragedy. That’s what happened to ATU Local 1593 Brother Thomas Dunn, in Tampa, Florida, murdered on the job as he served the public.
ATU Local 113 stands in solidarity, and joins with Thomas Dunn’s friends, family and Sisters and Brothers as they mourn his loss. Funeral details can be found here.
Find more information below from the ATU on what they’re doing to stop tragedies like this from happening across North America. Local 113 joins them in urging the passage of the Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act, adding to our efforts here in Toronto to make our public transit system a healthier and safer workplace.
Please contact your shop steward should you want to discuss any issues you’re currently experiencing, or get involved as we fight to secure concrete changes.
ATU condemns fatal stabbing of Tampa bus driver, demands better protection for transit workers
Calls on Congress to pass of Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act
Silver Spring, MD – In the wake of the tragic fatal stabbing of a Tampa bus driver, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) is demanding Congress pass legislation to provide better protection for bus drivers, riders and the pedestrians.
“I want to express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of our fallen brother as of a result of a senseless act of violence while doing his job serving the public,” said ATU International Executive Vice President Javier Perez. “And, our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters of Local 1593 as they deal with this terrible tragedy.”
The Union applauded the Tampa Police Service for apprehending the suspect.
Unfortunately this brutal murder is not an isolated incident. Countless numbers of transit workers are assaulted in many ways every year. Most are the result of a fare dispute, but an alarming number happen just because someone wants to do violence to a bus driver.
ATU has been engaged in an unprecedented campaign with transit workers from Toronto, ON, to Oakland, CA, and Jacksonville, FL, to Saskatoon, SK, to demand major safety changes in transit systems across North America.
ATU is calling for passage of the Transit Worker and Pedestrian Protection Act. This legislation would provide more protection by requiring transit agencies to create risk reduction plans, install physical barriers to protect drivers, and retrofit or replace buses with left-side blind spots. Also, it would require transit agencies to report on a wider range of incidents. The bill is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill, with more than 100 members of Congress co-sponsoring the bill. ATU encourages all Americans to call their Member of Congress to ask them to sponsor this bill.
“Transit workers cannot go to their job, and passengers cannot travel on public transportation in fear of being attacked and assaulted,” Perez continued. “ATU demands that transit agencies and government officials bring the same sense of regret that they will display in the public mourning of this tragic, unnecessary death of our brother and pass this critical legislation that will help to prevent these tragedies from happening.”
TTCriders’ 2019 Transit Summit: Learn how to take action to protect and improve public transit
Learn how you can fight to protect and improve Toronto’s public transit system by attending the TTCriders’ 2019 Transit Summit on Sunday, May 26, co-sponsored by ATU Local 113.
Together, alongside over 100 public transit advocates from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, participants will develop their skills to advocate for an affordable, accessible and fully-funded public transit system. This has never been more important here in Toronto, where Premier Doug Ford is barreling ahead with his so-called subway upload. Premier Ford’s scheme will break apart the TTC while paving the way towards privatization.
This year’s program includes training sessions on how to build relationships with institutions (led by ATU Local 113’s Deborah Littman), grow movements, train new leaders and advocate for issues with government representatives – like your City Councillor or Member of Provincial Parliament.
Details:
When: Sunday, May 26 at 12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Where: North York Civic Centre, Lower Level
5100 Yonge Street
North York, Ontario
Cost: Free for ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers. Regular admission of $20 for non-members. If cost is a barrier, please contact info@ttcriders.ca.
Details: Food and tokens will be provided. Childcare too, but please email info@ttcriders.ca before May 20th to secure it. ASL interpretation is available, please indicate during event registration.
ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers are encouraged to join the fight to keep transit public by opposing Ford’s reckless subway upload scheme.
ATU Local 113 to TTC CEO: Protect Toronto’s Public Transit System by Opposing Ford’s Upload Scheme
ATU Local 113 is demanding the Toronto Transit Commission’s Chief Executive Officer Rick Leary protect Toronto’s public transit system by opposing Premier Doug Ford’s reckless subway upload. This comes as public transit workers and riders rallied together at TTC headquarters at Yonge and Davisville on Friday, May 10 against the scheme – an event Mr. Leary had previously agreed to speak at, later failing to attend. You can watch the full program on CP24, where it was broadcasted live.
ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos alongside public transit riders and workers calling on TTC CEO Rick Leary to protect Toronto’s public transit system by opposing Ford’s reckless subway upload scheme (TTC Headquarters at Davisville Station, May 10, 2019)
“The PC government’s misguided ‘Getting Ontario Moving Act’ is only at second reading and if Mr. Leary joined with TTC riders and workers – we could apply more pressure on the provincial government to stop it and protect our public transit system,” said Carlos Santos, ATU Local 113 President. “When his workers and riders need his leadership most, they’re left asking: where is Rick Leary?”
The provincial government recently announced its failed transit vision for Toronto, scrapping projects like the Waterfront and Scarborough’s Eglinton East LRT while cutting a scheduled gas tax increase – $1.1 billion now gone that was already allocated by Mayor John Tory for the State of Good Repair for the system.
“It should be a no brainer for Mr. Leary,” said Carlos Santos. “If Premier Ford’s cuts to maintenance of the system isn’t worrying enough – cancelling projects ready to build should do it.” He adds, “TTC riders and workers are united against privatizing our public transit system – like we’ve seen with the Eglinton Crosstown and Metrolinx’s GO system – because it’ll mean higher fares and reduced service for riders.”
ATU Local 113 encourages all Torontonians who want to protect our public transit system to join the fight to stop the subway upload and keep transit public.
In Memory of ATU International President Lawrence J. Hanley
With profound sadness, I share the passing of ATU International President Lawrence J. Hanley. On behalf of all ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers, I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends – and all those in the labour movement who looked to him for his strong leadership.
A tireless advocate, Larry will be remembered for the progress he fought – and won – for those who needed it most. That is true here in Toronto, where he unconditionally supported Local 113 through difficult times, and in our fight to Keep Transit Public.
Larry started his career at 21 driving a bus in Brooklyn, New York. As ATU International President, he never lost focus of the shop floor as he led 190,000 Sisters and Brothers to better wages and benefits. He will always remain a shining example of a true leader.
As more information becomes available, we will be sure to share it with you.
Carlos Santos, President of ATU Local 113
ATU Local 113 Rally’s to Defend Toronto’s Public Transit System and Fight Bill 107
Last week, the Progressive Conservatives tabled Bill 107, “Getting Ontario Moving Act”, which directly targets the TTC and our members.
If it comes into law, it will allow the government to dismantle and privatize our transit system, contract out jobs and exempt itself from the Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act.
In short, if the bill becomes law, your job will be at risk.
Sisters and Brothers, we must fight for our transit system – and I urge you to join us at a rally on Friday, May 10 at 9:30 am outside the TTC headquarters at the intersection of Yonge St. and Davisville Avenue.
We will send TTC CEO Rick Leary a clear message: join us in our fight to keep the TTC!
We will also be distributing leaflets at six stations during the morning rush hour – 7:30 am to 8:30 am. I urge you to support your Sisters and Brothers at one of the following stations:
- Bay Station
- Wilson Station
- Shepherd Station
- Finch Station
- Scarborough Town Centre
- Davisville Station
Sisters and Brothers, I know we can accomplish great things if we work together. Friday will be a huge day of action, with many of our friends in labour and community activist groups leafleting over 30 subway stations in support.
Together, we will send a strong and unified message, that the TTC is not up for grabs.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing you on Friday.
Carlos Santos
President/Business Agent, ATU Local 113
ATU Local 113 Fightback Results in Significant Win for CSAs
Arbitrator Louisa Davie has issued the interest arbitration decision setting terms and conditions of employment for the CSA classification.
ATU Local 113 fought and won significant improvements for each and every CSA.
Some of the significant improvements include:
- 40 hour weekly guarantee and daily guarantee, off days to normally be consecutive and as far as practicable 66 2/3 of all CSA shall consist of continuous hours.
- CSA’s by sign up for work by seniority four times per year including a Christmas/New Year sign up and limits on the ability to move.
- Limits on the changing of a CSA’s work schedule.
- Travel time to be paid where a CSA works at a location other than where they began their shift.
- Overtime for all hours in excess of scheduled daily shift, work on off days and all volunteer work before or after their scheduled shift. Previously, overtime only available for hours in excess of 44 per week.
- Sunday premium (1 1/4 for first 8 or 10 hours and 1 1/2 thereafter). Previously no Sunday premium.
- Paid meal break of up to thirty minutes during each shift where shift is continuous. Previously no paid meal break.
- Shift Premium (75 cents per hour worked where work for the day commences after 1pm). Previously no shift premium.
- CSA’s covered by E-27 banning any contracting out of subway service.
A copy of the full awarded is available here.
This was a tough fight which would not have been possible without a team effort. Members played a key role in supplying the information we needed to win these gains. I would also like to give a special thanks to the legal team and to Kevin Morton, Frank Giustini and John Wales who were instrumental in securing this win.
Carlos Santos
President/Business Agent, ATU Local 113