Author: Stephanie Gomez

Celebrating ATU Local 113’s Heroes!

by Stephanie Gomez
ATU Local 113 honoured Marc Torres and Monique Blake at the General Meeting held this week. Their extraordinary heroism and unwavering bravery in the face of danger and selfless acts exemplify the highest values of service, integrity and commitment to safety and well being of others. Their courage inspires us all and stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of transit workers everywhere.
Congratulations Marc and Monique!

Today is Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day

by Stephanie Gomez

Today, the City of Toronto marks Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day.

ATU Local 113 calls on the TTC and the City of Toronto to work with us to make public transit a safer place for workers and passengers alike.

Local 113 will continue to have the voices of our members heard & ensure they feel protected at their place of work.

ATU Local 113’s Statement on the NDP’s motion for transit funding

by Stephanie Gomez
The TTC is desperate for reliable funding.
Maintenance is delayed and service is unreliable because we have to rely too much on property taxes and transit fare revenue.
Yesterday, Premier Ford’s government had a chance to show they were serious about supporting the TTC, yet they refused to even consider it.
A motion from NDP Transit Critic Joel Harden to fund transit operations and maintenance was shut down by the PC’s at the first hurdle.
We need governments who work with us to make the TTC work and keep Toronto moving.

Local 113’s Statement on the bus incident at Ossington Avenue and Bloor Street West

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 was informed of the incident at Ossington Avenue and Bloor Street West on Tuesday evening and the investigation is ongoing.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We are working to ensure that our member is getting all the support they need during this very difficult time.

Ontario Legislature to vote on Transit Funding Motion from NDP Transit Critic Joel Harden

by Stephanie Gomez

Next week, the Ontario Legislature will consider a motion from NDP Transit Critic, Joel Harden, to have the Government of Ontario match municipal contributions to operating and maintaining transit systems. This is how it worked in the 80s and 90s when TTC service levels and ridership were among the best in North America.

Local 113 will be watching the vote closely to see if Premier Ford is serious about giving transit the funding it needs.

As TTC workers, we see every day the lack of investment in transit. Inadequate service is chasing riders away. Maintenance is postponed and ignored. This is causing slow orders and safety issues across the system. Premier Ford’s government is willing to invest billions in new, privately built and maintained transit lines while the existing system is left to crumble. Developers get to build shiny new condos served by the new transit lines while today’s riders are seeing steady service reductions.

The heart of the problem is that the City of Toronto has to pay for the TTC through property taxes and transit fares. The federal and provincial governments have access to sales and income taxes that grow with the economy, but they refuse to pay for transit operations.