Author: Stephanie Gomez

We have had four acts of violence on public transit in less than one week.

This morning, two of our members were chased by an individual holding a syringe. They managed to escape, and the individual was arrested on the scene.

“We need action. It’s not enough to have elected officials and TTC management say safety is a priority. We need to see how you are making it a top-of-mind issue”, said Marvin Alfred, President, ATU Local 113. “Our members are terrified. Torontonians are too scared to take public transit.”

ATU Local 113 will continue to advocate for our members, but without adequate support from the City of Toronto and the TTC, this issue will only get worse.

Once again, violence against public transit workers continues on the TTC.

It is time for action. We are asking for stiffer penalties for those who commit crimes against transit workers and passengers, including banning them from using public transit.

We are asking those in power at all levels of governments, including the City of Toronto, to address the issue of the underhoused and individuals who have mental health issues who are using public transit as a form of housing. This contributes to why our workplace is becoming increasingly unsafe.

On January 24, a woman in her 20s was stabbed on a streetcar as Spadina Avenue. This was the third act of violence on public transit within 72 hours of Saturday evening’s incident.

ATU Local 113 President, Marvin Alfred, continues to advocate for our members with the media. Our call to action has been clear, but we cannot do this alone.

News Coverage

Online/Print

Halifax CityNews: Violence against Toronto transit workers needs to be addressed, union president says – CityNews Halifax

The Globe & Mail: Violence against Toronto transit workers needs to be addressed, union president says – The Globe and Mail

CTV News: 4 teens arrested in connection with TTC swarming attack | CTV News

CP24: 4 teens arrested in connection with TTC swarming attack | CP24.com

Canada Today: 4 teenagers arrested in connection with TTC swarm attack – Canada Today

Toronto Sun: WARMINGTON: TTC drivers and passengers prey for violent offenders | Toronto Sun

CBC News Toronto: Four 13-year-old boys charged in swarming attack on 2 TTC workers on bus, police say | CBC News

Broadcast/Radio

CityNews Toronto: Random TTC attacks causing ‘irreparable harm,’ union says (citynews.ca)

Global News: Violence against Toronto transit workers needs to be addressed, union president says – Toronto | Globalnews.ca

This afternoon another act of violence took place on a TTC streetcar at Spadina and Sussex. A woman in her 20s was stabbed and has since been rushed to hospital.

Our thoughts go out to the victim and her family during this time, and we wish her a speedy recovery. We’d like to thank the first responders and Toronto Police. The suspect has now been arrested.

We are reassured by the fact that four of the individuals involved in yesterday’s assault at Kennedy have been charged by police. We hope to see the investigations continue to ensure all individuals involved are held accountable.

Our call to action was clear – the City of Toronto and the TTC need to do more. We have repeated this ask and continue to see no movement.

Harsher penalties are necessary for those who commit acts of violence on public transit.

Our members are in fear, and we cannot support them alone

On January 23, two TTC transit workers were violently assaulted by a group of 10-15 teenage males. Our members should not have to go to work everyday in fear of their lives.

ATU Local 113 President, Marvin Alfred, reinforced this message with the media.

News Coverage

Online/Print

National Post:  ‘It’s getting out of hand’: Toronto police investigate report of swarm assault on TTC bus | National Post

Toronto Star: Youths attack TTC operators in ‘swarming’ assault | The Star

City News Toronto: Large group of youths wanted after assaulting two TTC employees (citynews.ca)

CBC News Toronto: ‘Swarming’ attack by 10 to 15 young people leaves 2 transit workers hurt, Toronto police say | CBC News

Global News: Up to 15 youths allegedly attacked Toronto transit workers in Scarborough: police – Toronto | Globalnews.ca

Broadcast/Radio

Newstalk 1010 (Moore in the AM): ATU 113 president Marvin Alfred responds to another attack on TTC employees on Moore In The Morning. (iheartradio.ca)

CBC News Toronto: Violence on the TTC   (begins at 3:37)

Global News: Up to 15 youths wanted in TTC workers assault | Watch News Videos Online (globalnews.ca)

Late this afternoon at Kennedy and Merrian, two of our members were violently assaulted by a group of teenage males. Both of the TTC workers are reporting physical injuries.

Transit workers should not have to go to work in fear of their lives. These attacks leave long-term psychological impacts that remain with our members much after their physical wounds have healed.

This continued pattern of criminal behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated. There must be accountability.

“Our members are disgusted with the repeated and escalated acts of violence against transit workers,” said Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113. “We will always advocate for our members, but we need support from the City of Toronto and the TTC too.”

We have reinforced our ask with Toronto’s Mayor, John Tory, and the TTC’s CEO, Rick Leary. Enough is enough. Listen to the individuals who are your eyes and ears on the ground. It’s getting out of hand and public transit needs to be safe again for our workers and passengers.

On January 21, a TTC transit worker was shot with a BB gun while waiting for her shift to begin.

ATU Local 113 President, Marvin Alfred, spoke to media to advocate for our members and their safety. The call to action was clear: The City of Toronto and the TTC need to do more to keep public transit safe for all.

News Coverage

Online/Print

CBC News: TTC fares, budget to increase as transit focuses on security | The Star

CP24: Suspects sought after TTC bus operator shot with BB gun | CP24.com

CTV News: Suspects sought after TTC bus operator shot with BB gun | CTV News

Broadcast/Radio

CBC:  Violence on the TTC (begins at 1:52)

CP24: “It’s frustrating. This is happening to city and transit workers who are just trying to do their job. They should not feel at risk.” – Marvin Alfred, President, ATU Local 113

*The link to this interview will be shared in the coming days

A TTC transit operator was shot by a BB gun last night while waiting to begin their shift.

President Marvin Alfred spoke to the TTC transit worker , who is doing her best to try to recover from the trauma she experienced. She reinforced that she hopes more can be done by the City of Toronto and the TTC to protect transit workers and Torontonians in general from these senseless acts of violence that occur far too frequently.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, ATU Local 113 has no additional information at this time. We will wait for the police to share further details.

ATU Local 113 continues to call on the TTC and the City of Toronto to keep public transit safe.

ATU Local 113 President, Marvin Alfred, presented his Year-in-Review statement at the General Meeting on January 15, 2023, which outlined the union’s work accomplished in 2022, and the direction and focus for the year ahead.

ATU Local 113’s Statement on the TTC Budget Meeting
TTC Board votes not to learn key facts about their own budget

At Mayor Tory’s direction, staff proposed massive city-wide service cuts. Changes to service standards will make surface routes more crowded, less dependable, and less frequent. There will be ten-minute waits for subways. Toronto City Councillor, Chris Moise, moved to have city staff report on the impact of the proposed service cuts, as well as for information on skyrocketing legal and consulting fees, but the Board voted not to find out.

“Not wanting to invest in service is one thing, but not wanting to even know what service you’re cutting is just irresponsible,” said ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred. “This budget will drive more riders off the system. And they won’t come back to the TTC until there is safe, dependable, and affordable service. My concern is that Mayor Tory is using safety issues as a smokescreen to impose devastating cuts that will send the TTC into a downward spiral of service cuts and ridership losses,” he continued.

There are real opportunities to save money and the TTC Board won’t look at them.

We want people living on the system to get the help they need, and to not be living on TTC property. The City of Toronto and province have to step up and provide healthcare services and affordable housing to resolve safety issues and violence on public transit.