Author: Stephanie Gomez

The Province’s budget contains many proposals that are of deep concern to Local 113. There are sweeping changes to the City of Toronto Act that could dis-integrate the TTC, remove public control of our transit system, and advance Tory’s plan to contract out TTC jobs.

These proposed changes to the City of Toronto Act are totally unnecessary, dangerous to the integrity of the TTC network, and must not be allowed to move forward.

The cross-border service proposal has nothing to do with service. This legislation is about breaking apart the TTC so that it can be sold off piece by piece. It advances Tory and Leary’s agenda of turning public institutions into private, for-profit services, and replacing quality careers with precarious, underpaid jobs.

It will actively damage service to make it look like public transit costs too much and can’t serve riders. There is no plan, for example, to allocate fare revenue for cross border trips, so riders will either pay a second fare or TTC will lose revenue. For the first time in a century, there could be fare barriers for local service in Toronto.

The strong mayor proposal will allow Tory to continue to work in secret, with his consultants and corporate lobbyists, to eliminate public control and sell off public services, and contract out jobs.

This is not in the best interest of Toronto residents, or of working people.

Local 113 will be fighting these changes. And we are not alone in this fight. Nurses and other vital service providers have also seen their rights taken away by legislation. We stand with all working people to protect our rights, create quality jobs, and be treated with respect in our lives and in our work.

ATU Local 113 member, Sister Cappuccio, hopes to promote tolerance, social equality, and acceptance of all people in the workplace. We stand in solidarity with our Sister and all members of the LGTBQ2S+ community.

ATU Local 113 remembers those who lost their lives to the residential school system. Survivors’ lives are forever changed due to the unspeakable trauma they experienced. More than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Nation children were taken away from their families and communities during the era that the schools were open. Below is a video of another tragic survivor story from Jean Rose-Bugler. Her courage is an inspiration, and she has a past that tragically, many other Indigenous people can relate to.

ATU Local 113 welcomes the news that unvaccinated employees in federally regulated industries such as trains and airlines are being allowed to return to work on June 20th.

This is a positive development. We are encouraged by this in our own fight to return our unvaccinated members to work, so they can continue to provide riders with safe and efficient public transit.

ATU Local 113 is calling for the fair treatment of all TTC workers.

CTV News: Canada’s vaccine mandate lifted for federal, transport workers

ATU Local 113 celebrates Pride Month and recognizes rank-and-file members who are making a difference in our Local, our workplace and our community.

Read more about ATU 113 member Cat Cappuccio: https://www.atu.org/atu-celebrates-pride-month

Steven Del Duca may mean well, but needs to do some homework if he wants to be taken seriously.

Yesterday, Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca promised to reduce all transit fares in Ontario to $1 until January 2024. Local 113 is always happy to see transit service be an important issue. Unfortunately, this is not a serious policy proposal. It is a cheap gimmick by someone who should know better. He was, after all, Kathleen Wynne’s Minister of Transportation.

This proposal, however, is just an election stunt. Here’s why:

• It fails existing riders. This plan is targeting suburban commuters and will do nothing to improve service or reduce crowding on TTC today.
• It fails at basic math. They say it will cost $700M-$1.1B But TTC alone would need $600M of new subsidy. And that’s before expanding service for all the new riders. And other transit agencies need much bigger subsidies.
• It’s unfair to local trips. GO riders could get $10-15 a ride subsidy. Which means that working people in sustainable urban neighbourhoods get far less advantage than wealthy commuters is exurban sprawl.
• It is sudden and temporary – which may cause long-term damage. Transit systems will have to expand service to meet demand. When the subsidy expires municipalities will either be stuck with the cost or have to shrink their networks and park all the new vehicles.

Transit is far too serious an issue to be used to score cheap political points. The only way to build a transit network is through dedicated, long-term operational funding.

It was great marching on Queen’s Park with ATU Local 113 members, ATU Canada and our union allies as part of the May Day Rally for change. Ontario works because we do!

Sisters and Brothers,

As you are all aware, an unfortunate incident took place on Sunday, April 17 at the Bloor-Yonge subway station. A suspect pushed a passenger onto the tracks causing her to narrowly avoid being hit by a train while suffering serious injuries. Fortunately, the victim is now in stable condition, and we continue to wish her a quick and full recovery.

Thankfully, the suspect has now been arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Tragic instances such as these often result in trauma that can never be forgotten for the victims, onlookers, and TTC workers. With the rising rates of assaults and crimes on the TTC, it’s something our ATU Local 113 members must deal with far too often. I would like to acknowledge the incredible bravery and diligent efforts of the platform guard and subway operator who were working on Sunday evening. They were the ones who noticed and responded to the victim, evacuated the platform, and alerted emergency services. Thank you for your dedicated service. And thanks to all ATU Local 113 members who respond to incidents each day to help their fellow citizens.

The TTC must do more to support our members through these traumatic experiences. Our membership should not have to repeatedly fight for their benefits and medical care.  The TTC must take immediate action on this important issue for the safety of our members and the riding public.

In solidarity,
Marvin Alfred

ATU Local 113’s President Marvin Alfred was on a CP24 panel discussion last night with TTCrider’s Executive Director. They covered the unfortunate incident that took place at the Bloor- Yonge subway platform on Sunday evening.

Questions were asked about the role of platform guards, and what the TTC can do to prevent violence.

Marvin’s message was clear – platform guards do incredible work and are essential to the functionality of the TTC. Marvin also emphasized that the TTC needs to do more to protect passengers and transit workers from assault.

Click the link to watch: Critics say TTC needs better safeguards | CP24.com

ATU Local 113 has and continues to be a strong advocate for protecting our workers from violence and assault on the job.

In March 2022, the TTC CEO Report found that the number of offences against TTC employees in Q3 2021 was 243 and in Q4 2021 was 208, which represents offences against employees of more than 2x per day.

These numbers are daunting, and it’s a reality many of our members have to face daily. No one should go to work in fear.

Today during the Toronto Transit Commission Board Meeting, a Motion was brought forward entitled ‘Working Together to Address Transit Worker Assaults’. The recommendations proposed can be found here. At a high-level ATU Local 113 proposes all levels of government work with the union to develop a national framework.

The Motion was tabled by Councillor Jaye Robinson and seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie.

Our President, Marvin Alfred spoke to the Board. The 10 minute deputation included positive feedback, a Q&A, support from TTC Staff and Commissioners, and the successful passing of a Motion showing our efforts to get the TTC and the Commission to begin to address transit workers’ abuse. A video of the deputation can be found above.

Marvin Alfred said, in part, “TTC has acknowledged the incidents have been increasing throughout the pandemic with offences against employees doubling and those against customers nearly tripling. But what hasn’t been determined is why the assaults are increasing. I proposed the idea of a Motion to Councillor Robinson, as I felt the TTC could do more. I’m happy to report she agreed. So, we’re here with the beginning of a strategy to make our transit system even safer.”