Author: nanderson

At this Critical Moment for the Public Transit System, the TTC Board Must Stand-Up for Toronto

by nanderson

The TTC Board met today at a critical moment for Toronto’s public transit system. That’s why ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos and Executive Board members joined TTCriders’ Rally to Stop Fare Hikes following their inaugural meeting to demand the City of Toronto stand-up to Premier Doug Ford and fight back against his subway upload scheme. Toronto is a growing city, and for transit to remain accessible, affordable and reliable, the TTC Board must fight to Keep Transit Public.










  • ATU Local 113 President Santos addressing the Rally to Stop Fare Hikes following the TTC Board’s inaugural meeting.

Alongside representatives from the York Federation of Students, Fair Fare Coalition, Scarborough Campus Students’ Union, Action Keele and CUPE Local 2, President Santos explained that proposed fare hikes are just a symptom of a much larger issue: privatization. “Time and time again, privatized projects have meant increased fares and reduced service for riders – all while leaving the public on the hook,” President Santos shared, “Just look at what’s happening with increased privatization and cost overruns with Metrolinx in the Greater Toronto Area.” With Toronto’s subways, it will also mean losing local democratic control and our integrated system with two levels of government operating our transit system.


  • ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos live on CTV News at Noon explaining what’s at stake for their public transit system with the so-called subway upload.

Parkdale—High Park Councillor Gord Perks began the rally with a call to action, “You can’t build a city on the cheap. You can’t build a real transit system on the cheap. And we won’t win unless we fight back.” President Santos then led the crowd in a chant, “Lower fares! Increase service! Fund our system!”

Torontonians are encouraged to oppose the so-called subway upload by signing the petition.

Rally to Stop Fare Hikes at the TTC Board’s Inaugural Meeting – Jan 10

by nanderson

ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers are encouraged to join President Carlos Santos and Executive Board members at the TTC Board’s inaugural meeting on Thursday, January 10 at 10:00 a.m. – followed by a rally outside Toronto City Hall alongside transit advocates against proposed fare hikes.

At the mic, President Carlos Santos will take a stand against fare hikes, and share all that is at stake with Premier Doug Ford’s reckless subway upload scheme, which would shatter our public transit system and could lead to higher fares and reduced service for riders.

The TTC Board must play a crucial role in opposing Doug Ford’s so-called subway upload.TTC Board Chair Jaye Robinson has indicated she shares ATU Local 113’s concern with the scheme.

Now is the time to come together and demand that our subway stay with Toronto. Instead of taking the subway from us, Doug Ford should expand service and lower fares by properly funding the public transit system!

Find the details:

TTC Board Meeting

When: Thursday, January 10 at 10:00 AM

Where: Committee Room 2
Toronto City Hall
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 2N2

Details: If you are unable to attend, the meetings are also live-streamed on the TTC YouTube channel.

Rally to Stop TTC Fare Hikes!

When: Thursday, January 10 at 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Where: Outside Front Entrance
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 2N2

Details: Register here. ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos will speak alongside transit advocates.

Transit Advocates Rally as City Council Votes to Rebuke Ford’s Upload Scheme

by nanderson

Toronto City Council voted decisively to reaffirm its support for keeping ownership of the TTC on December 13 – rebuking Premier Ford and his scheme to break apart Toronto’s public transit system. The vote of 23 to 2 came as a coalition of transit advocates rallied outside City Hall demanding more transit funding from Queen’s Park to improve and expand service.

ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers rallied with TTCriders, Progress Toronto, Defend Toronto, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Toronto & York Region Labour Council and the Ontario NDP to make clear all that’s at stake for Toronto and its riders. Aleem Tharani, ATU Local 113 Executive Board Member, explained to the crowd, “Torontonians have funded the system for 100 years, it’s only fair we keep it!” Tharani’s concern adds to a growing list about Premier Ford’s hazy plan, including the implications of losing assets, the integrated system and accountable governance structures.

ATU Local 113 President-elect Carlos Santos, shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow transit advocates, demanding the City and Province keep transit public.

From left to right: Aleem Tharani (ATU Local 113 Executive Board Member – At Large Maintenance), Andrew Folatico (ATU Local 113 Health and Safety Representative), Jessica Bell (NDP MPP and Transit Critic) and Marvin Alfred (ATU Local 113 Executive Board – Transportation Arrow Road/Mt Dennis).

NDP MPP and Transit Critic Jessica Bell, standing beside Councillors Gord Perks and Mike Layton, called the so-called upload scheme for what it is, “Premier Ford’s grudge match against Toronto.” Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam added, “Torontonians say ‘no’ to Doug Ford stealing our subway!”

The vote in City Hall is a watershed moment for the fight to keep transit public. Mayor John Tory himself moved a motion to include an amendment affirming the City’s support for keeping ownership of the TTC, an indication he understands the value of Toronto’s 11,000 highly-skilled public transit workers.

Torontonians concerned about their public transit system are encouraged to sign the petition to Keep Transit Public here. ATU Local 113 members are urged to email fight2win@atu113.net to get involved.

New TTC Board Must Fight to Keep Transit Public

by nanderson

Toronto City Council appointed the new TTC Board on December 13, a mix of councillors and citizens who must be dedicated to ensuring our public transit system remains reliable, safe and prepared for the future. Councillor Jaye Robinson, of Ward 15 Don Valley West, will serve as Board Chair – and upon The Board’s first meeting, a citizen member will be elected Vice-Chair.

The TTC Board will play a crucial role in opposing Premier Doug Ford’s so-called subway upload. The Board oversees constructing, maintaining, operating and expanding the public transit system – all of which are under attack by the Premier’s scheme to rob the TTC of its crown jewel: the subway.

ATU Local 113 looks forward to working with councillors and citizens on the TTC Board to fight for a properly funded, public transit system that works for all and to build public understanding of all that’s at stake for our prosperous, vibrant city.

The TTC Board includes the following members:

  • Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 15 Don Valley West)
  • Councillor Brad Bradford (Ward 19 Beaches-East York)
  • Councillor Shelley Carroll (Ward 17 Don Valley North)
  • Councillor Jim Karygiannis (Ward 22 Scarborough-Agincourt)
  • Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park)
  • Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 16 Don Valley East)
  • Joanne De Laurentiis (Citizen)
  • Alan Heisey, Q.C. (Citizen)
  • Ron Lalonde (Citizen)

Our union will continue to urge all TTC board members to keep transit public – and to keep the TTC Subway system where it belongs: with Torontonians!

We’ll continue to post updates on transit matters, but you can also learn more on the TTC Board and its activities here.

In the Media: Urgent Fix Needed for Presto

by nanderson

There’s trouble ahead for public transit riders as the TTC will completely transition to Presto on January 1, 2019. ATU Local 113, and its over 11,000 frontline workers, understand firsthand the problems and frustrations riders will soon face: malfunctioning readers, out of service card reload machines and unnecessary repair delays through Metrolinx’s private contractors.

Presto is not ready for prime time – rather, it’s proven to be a system full of technical failures and repair delays costing Toronto’s public transit system.

That’s why ATU Local 113 sent a letter to Premier Ford with our members’ firsthand experiences with Presto. These are issues riders know all too well, and further justification for why ATU Local 113’s highly trained workers must  return to being responsible for fare collection repairs. A fare collection system that works better also means more accurate ridership numbers, a key metric that when underrepresented, undermines the building of badly needed transit infrastructure.

Read ATU Local 113’s letter to Premier Doug Ford on the urgent need to fix the Presto system, then see coverage on the issue below.

TTC Presto Fare System_Letter

TTC union warns Presto too unreliable for agency to end Metropass program next month (Ben Spurr, Toronto Star, December 7th)

Transit union, Tory ask Ontario government to fix problems with Presto-card transition (Alanna Rizza, Canadian Press, December 9th)

Rally to Stop the Subway Sell-Off

by nanderson

Doug Ford is steamrolling ahead with his plans to break-up and sell-off the TTC, starting with Toronto’s subway. This move is going to make commutes longer, increase fares, and send Toronto’s transit backwards. On Thursday, December 13 Toronto City Council will be debating Doug Ford’s plan for Toronto riders and commuters. Come and fill the gallery after the rally.

Join us at this rally to tell Doug Ford and Toronto City Council that the TTC belongs to Toronto not to Ford’s rich friends!

Thursday, December 13
12:30pm
Outside Toronto City Hall

This rally is a collaboration of the Ontario NDP, TTCriders, ATU Local 113, Progress Toronto and Defend TO.

RSVP now: https://www.ontariondp.ca/stop-subway-selloff

ATU Meets with Toronto Mayor John Tory, Share Concerns on Breaking Apart TTC

by nanderson

Yesterday, ATU Local 113 and ATU Canada leadership met with Toronto Mayor John Tory to discuss Premier Ford’s so-called subway upload. Mayor John Tory shared concerns about breaking apart the TTC – pledging to work co-operatively with ATU by sharing a list of our questions and concerns at his next meeting with the Premier.

While this is a welcome gesture, ATU will continue to press the Premier and his “special advisor” to rethink their troubling scheme. Toronto’s over 11,000 transit operations and maintenance workers have a firsthand understanding of the public transit system – including all that is at stake. The TTC belongs to Toronto and dividing the system means losing its integration and local democratic control. It will also mean reduced service and higher fares for riders – all while paving the way for privatization.

ATU will continue to share new developments at wemovetoronto.ca.

Fund the TTC, Don’t Break it! Transit Advocates Fight to Keep TTC in Toronto Hands

by nanderson

TTCriders, a transit advocacy group, led a day of action on Thursday, November 29 against Premier Doug Ford’s scheme to break apart the TTC through his so-called subway “upload.” ATU Local 113 members joined the rallies alongside dozens of concerned residents at Kipling, Donlands and Queen’s Park stations to spread the message directly to other riders. The message is clear — a rushed subway upload won’t fix the lack of public transit funding. Breaking apart the TTC means losing Toronto’s integrated system and local democratic control. For riders, this troubling scheme will lead to reduced service and higher fares – all while paving the way for privatization.

Read more about the successful day of action here and sign the petition to keep transit public!

Here are some photos of our sisters and brothers, alongside concerned residents, in action. Thanks for coming out!

Celebrate the Holidays with TTC LEGO

by nanderson

Public transit in the winter presents extra challenges. Snowy boots and dangling mittens can be uncomfortable – and on top of overcrowded buses, streetcars and subways – it can downright leave you feeling like the grinch.

That’s why Aaron Chapman is bringing his TTC LEGO to life in a whimsical winter scene on the Line 1 platform at Bloor Station. His “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” model circles a snowcapped mountain range filled with snowmen, Christmas trees and log cabins – warming the hearts of busy commuters.

ATU Local 113 members are encouraged to see the display, then vote to ensure LEGO IDEAS considers global distribution of the “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” model.

WHERE: Window on the Line 1 platform at Bloor station.

WHEN: the entirety of December.

More details on the “Toronto Rocket Subway Train” model below. It includes:

  • Two TTC operators, two TTC track workers, four passengers and LEGO RC powered;
  • Roofs and Control cabs are removable and complete with detailed operating controls;
  • Train Signal tree with rotating trip arm, train mounted trip switch and functional third rail;
  • And sliding passenger doors, overhead handles and subway advertisements.

Ontario PC Government Reveals its Privatization Agenda

by nanderson

It’s never been clearer: the Ontario government has a privatization agenda and it has set its sights on the TTC.

Last week at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation Jeff Yurek addressed the Economic Club of Canada on “enhancing transit in the province.” It cost almost $100 per person to hear the “government for the people” issue a directive to Metrolinx to apply “market-driven approaches” to all new and existing transit projects – including leveraging “third-party investment” through “new forms of partnerships.”

Later in the week, and days before the report is due to cabinet, the government finally released the Terms of Reference for their “Special Advisor” on the so-called TTC Subway upload. The first objective: to secure provincial ownership of the TTC subway network and other strategic transit/transportation assets in Toronto. The Minister has refused to clarify if he’ll try to takeover more of Toronto’s public transit system.

While the Minister says he is looking for “market driven approaches,” in reality, the province’s scheme will do nothing more than harm public transit by shattering Toronto’s integrated system, taking away local democratic control and paving the way for higher fares and privatized service, similar to what we see with Metrolinx and GO Transit. Premier Ford, hands off our subways! The TTC belongs to Toronto.

The only way to protect Toronto’s public transit is to keep it public – and increase funding – so it can be improved and expanded for riders. Torontonians concerned about their public transit system are encouraged to sign and share the petition to keep transit public.