The City of Toronto by-election is taking place on Monday, June 26.
Advanced polls open next week on June 8th.
If you are eligible, we encourage you to get out and vote early!
You can find your local polling station here: 2023 By-Election for Mayor: Advance Vote Locations – City of Toronto
ATU Local 113 has learned of an assault on a transit worker that happened earlier today while the operator waited to take over her streetcar at the intersection of King and Sumach. She was attacked and pushed face down to the pavement, sustaining injuries to her face. She has since been attended to by Toronto paramedics. The situation is under investigation. ATU Local 113 stands in solidarity with our member and we wish her a speedy and full recovery.
ATU Local 113 continues to call on the City of Toronto and the TTC to step up to enforce severe penalties on those who assault transit workers, and to do everything in their power to make public transit safe.
Earlier today we were made aware of a group of individuals that set off fireworks on a TTC bus. The incident is under investigation. The union has reached out to the operator involved who has confirmed they are doing better.
This blatant disregard for the safety of fellow passengers and transit workers is completely unacceptable and should be treated as a criminal act.
Our members should not have to go to work worried about being injured on the job.
We hope these individuals will be held accountable and that the penalties will reflect the seriousness of their actions – including banning their access to public transit.
This is an opportunity for the TTC leadership and the City of Toronto to step up and demonstrate that they have zero-tolerance for violence on public transit. And that they are willing to do everything in their power to protect our members and Torontonians so that everyone can feel safe on public transit.
We are optimistic about the future of public transit with Olivia advocating for us! We are pleased to give Olivia Chow our endorsement for the upcoming election.
Join ATU Local 113 and Toronto mayoral by-election candidate Olivia Chow for an announcement about the future of Toronto’s public transit workers.
Who: Olivia Chow, Toronto mayoral by-election candidate; Marvin Alfred, President, ATU Local 113
When: Friday, May 26 at 9:30 AM EST
Where: ATU Local 113 Office, 812 Wilson Avenue, Toronto
An ATU Local 113 member was injured today after being pinned by a subway car at Greenwood Yard. ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred visited the injured member at a local hospital this morning.
ATU Local 113 Health and Safety representative Andrew Falotico and JHSC Union Representative, Shop Steward Anthony Schembri, are currently onsite with Toronto Police Service and the Ontario Ministry of Labour to investigate today’s unfortunate incident.
*The member has since been released from the hospital.
On May 8, ATU Local 113 was informed that an Ontario Superior Court decision would permit members to strike for the first time since 2011.
ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred spoke with media about what this means for the union and the labour sector.
News Coverage
Online/Print
Toronto Star: TTC workers regain the right to strike | The Star
Toronto Sun:TTC not an ‘essential service,’ strike would be legal for workers | Toronto Sun
Financial Post: CUPE: Court’s Decision a Win for Workers and for Safety | Financial Post
Now Toronto: Transit union says TTC needs to take responsibility for service cuts – NOW Toronto
CityNews Toronto: TTC union workers win back right to strike | CityNews Toronto
CBC Toronto: TTC workers have right to go on strike, Ontario court rules | CBC News
Broadcast/Radio
Radio Canada: Les employés de la CTT ont le droit de faire la grève, tranche un tribunal ontarien | Radio-Canada.ca
Marvin Alfred, President/Business Agent, on behalf of the Executive Board of ATU Local 113, hailed the Ontario Superior Court decision striking down the legislation illegally limiting collective bargaining for over 12,000 TTC workers.
“This is an historic win for transit workers in Canada. The Court has delivered a major victory for free collective bargaining in Ontario and for our Local,” said Marvin Alfred. “Our members’ Charter rights have been violated for more than a decade. Fortunately, we are now able to return to the bargaining table without unfair government interference.”
Local 113 went to court seeking to strike down the 2011 TTC Labour Disputes Resolution Act, arguing that it violated its members Charter of Rights and Freedoms right to free association. The legislation had impaired the union’s ability to bargain freely with the TTC. The Court found that the legislation substantially interfered with meaningful collective bargaining. The Court further declined to suspend the legislation, meaning that Local 113 members will be able to bargain their next collective agreement free from the infringement on their Charter rights.
Marvin Alfred further indicated that “The Court found that Local 113 had only been on strike for 12 days in the 20 years prior to imposing the legislation. We’ve known for more than 10 years that our rights were being violated, and that the TTC had been given an unfair advantage in bargaining. I am looking forward to a return to free collective bargaining at the TTC.”
Asian Heritage Month is an important occasion for all Canadians to come together to celebrate and recognize the diverse cultural contributions of Asian communities in our country. This month-long celebration has been a cherished tradition in Canada since the 1990s and was officially recognized by the federal government in May 2002.
ATU Local 113 expresses our appreciation for the invaluable contributions that our own members of Asian communities have made to our city and to Canada’s rich cultural heritage.
Stats:
Canada’s multicultural society has greatly benefited from the contributions of Asian populations, who make up nearly 22% of the country’s population. The distinct cultural heritage, history, and customs that members of Asian communities have brought to Canada have added to the vibrant tapestry of our nation. Asian Canadian cultures in Canada include, but are not limited to:
Human Rights Activism and Anti-Asian Racism in Canada
The selfless activism of people of Asian heritage for social justice and human rights in Canada and their fight against oppression has contributed significantly to the growth of our labour movement and communities. The Asian community in Canada has endured discrimination and injustice, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Head Tax, the exploitation of Chinese railway workers, the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II, and the Komagata Maru incident. These struggles have left their stamp on Canadian history, and their influence is still felt today.
Sadly, racism towards Asians is still present in Canada today. Anti-Asian hate has alarmingly increased since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, with women disproportionately affected by the rise in anti-Asian racism. It is essential to collaborate as a society to combat structural racism and advance social justice and equality for all.
Resources:
http://www.mhso.ca/tiesthatbind/LearningResources.php
https://sacda.ca/Detail/objects/2751
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U2ki5j-h9y229pAwx-KkqjK0HmAIo9h9/view
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/asia-canada
https://explorasian.org/exploring-asian-heritage-in-vancouver/
https://solidarities.huafoundation.org/unpackingmyth/
http://www.vmacch.ca/beta/index.html