ATU Local 113

Bill 98 Update: Our Union’s Advocacy Intensifies Ahead of Committee Hearing

May 1, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

Transit workers have been clear: we support regional transit that improves service, but it must be done right.

We are not alone in our concerns about Bill 98. Other municipalities, like Pickering and Brampton, have expressed serious concerns about the effect it will have on their residents.

Bill 98, as it stands, fails the test for better transit.

That’s why your union is taking action to protect our work, our riders, and the future of public transit across Toronto and the region.

What we’re doing now:

Building a united front with riders
We are working closely with rider advocacy groups to align our efforts. Riders are already facing overcrowding, delays, and unreliable service. They share our concern that Bill 98 will make things worse without proper planning and funding.

Pressing TTC leadership
We have raised serious concerns with the TTC Board and management about risks to service, fare revenue, and local accountability. We are ensuring decision-makers understand the real impacts on workers and riders.

Taking our case to Queen’s Park
On Monday, May 4^th, ATU 113 will be at Queen’s Park, where President Marvin Alfred will address the provincial committee to advocate against Bill 98. We will take our clear message directly to the Ford government: Remove transit from Bill 98 until a sustainable funding blueprint is in place.

We are calling for:

Guaranteed, long-term operating funding
Protection of TTC fare revenue
Preservation of local decision-making
Practical, rider-focused cross-boundary solutions

Advancing real solutions
We support integration – but not a plan that shifts control without funding or structure. We are putting forward practical alternatives that strengthen service without undermining the TTC or downloading risk onto workers and riders.

What this means for members

This is a critical moment. The decisions being made now will impact our jobs, working conditions, and the service we deliver every day.

We will keep you informed. Stay engaged – our collective voice is vital to getting this right.

More updates to follow after Monday’s hearing.

Join the TTCriders’ Day of Action to Stop Bill 98: Ford’s takeover of the TTC

May 1, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

The advocacy group TTCriders, is organizing a Day of Action in front of the main entrance to Cedarvale Station. They will be meeting riders, handing out flyers, and gathering signatures to take action against Doug Ford’s proposal to take over the TTC and set its fares and service

Start: Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m.
End: Saturday, May 9 at 3 p.m.
Location: Cedarvale Station (Cedarvale Station at Bus Bay 3, York, ON, Canada)

ATU Local 113 Celebrates International Workers’ Day

May 1, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

Today, we mark International Workers’ Day, a celebration of labourers around the world, including Toronto’s transit workers who keep our city moving every day.

Happy International Workers’ Day!

ATU 113 Local Celebrates Asian Heritage Month

May 1, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

Today marks the start of Asian Heritage Month, a time to honour the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian communities across Canada. Their impact has helped shape our country in meaningful and lasting ways.

ATU Local 113 Celebrates Canadian Jewish Heritage Month

May 1, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

May marks Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, ATU Local 113 proudly recognizes the strength, resilience, and lasting impact of Jewish Canadians in shaping our country.

ATU Local 113 Recognizes National Day of Mourning

April 28, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

On the National Day of Mourning, ATU Local 113 honours all workers who have been killed, injured, or made ill on the job. We stand with their families, loved ones, and colleagues, and we recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for safer workplaces.

ATU 113 Shop Stewards Training Focuses on Key Issues Facing Transit Workers

April 24, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

Our union’s shop stewards participated in a comprehensive one day training this week focused on strengthening union representation, deepening knowledge and preparing for the challenges facing transit workers today. Our shop stewards are our frontline leaders who play a critical role in supporting our members on the job and protecting workers’ rights.

ATU 113 Black Caucus Hosts Successful Financial Literacy Event

April 23, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

The ATU 113 Black Caucus extends a heartfelt thank-you to the ATU 113 Executive Board, guest speakers, and everyone who attended and helped make the recent Financial Literacy Event a success. Special thanks to the guest speakers – Sean Clouden, Gabrielle McGill, Collette Venture, and Kamille Smith, as well as the TTC Pension Plan representatives, ATU 113 members, and the family and friends who participated.
We look forward to continuing to provide opportunities and resources that support members’ financial well-being.

ATU Local 113 Executive Board Members Complete Leadership Institute Certificate Program

April 23, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 is proud to share the successful completion of the 2026 Leadership Institute Certificate Program by Executive Board Members Amjad Muhammad and Andrew McAnuff. Delivered in partnership with Toronto Labour and the John Cartwright Institute, the program strengthened participants’ understanding of organizing, advocacy, and leadership within the labour movement through collaborative learning and sharing experiences. We congratulate all participants and look forward to seeing these skills put into action to advance positive change in our workplaces and communities.

Bill 98 Update: Leading the fight to stop Ford takeover of TTC

April 22, 2026 by Stephanie Gomez

On March 30th, the Ford Government introduced Bill 98 into the Ontario legislature. If passed, it will give the Minister of Transportation total control over TTC. We are leading the fight to protect TTC service and union jobs.

The Bill uses regional fare and service integration to justify taking over local systems. ATU Local 113 supports anything that makes it easier for riders to move around the GTA on public transit. That’s not what Bill 98 is. The City of Toronto Act already allows TTC to invite outside operators onto its routes and the One Fare program removes the penalty for riding on two systems.

What the bill does is give the Minister of Transportation total control over transit fares and service levels. Worse, it gives them the power to share TTC fare revenue with other transit operators and effectively ends democratic oversight of public transit in Toronto.

ATU Local 113 was the first to recognize the risk in the proposed legislation. In our April 2 statement, we showed the risk and raised some serious questions that need to be answered before the legislation moves forward.

Since then, ATU Canada and ATU locals in the GTHA joined forces to amplify our concerns about this bill. See the news coverage here.

Last week we addressed the TTC Board. There was a successful motion instructing TTC staff to:

Protect democratic control of TTC
Preserve service quality and standards
Demand Provincial directions to be matched with full funding
Demonstrate value for money of PRESTO payment system
Respect input from local transit systems, including riders and workers

Next week we will be taking the fight to Queen’s Park where we will continue to advocate to keep transit publicly owned and operated, and to put riders and workers first.

Our friends and allies in the labour movement, at Queen’s Park, at City Hall, Progress Toronto and TTC Riders have all joined the fight.

You can read the TTC Riders position and sign their petition here.