Happy New Year Sisters and Brothers! The ATU Local 113 Executive Board wishes members and their families a safe, healthy and successful 2022.

Sisters and Brothers,

We are pleased to share that Mayor John Tory has agreed to declare December 17^th the first ever Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day in the City of Toronto after consistent pressure from our union.

The campaign to have Mayor Tory proclaim this important day started in 2020 when it was clear physical, verbal, and psychological assaults against our members were increasing because of the pandemic.

While ATU Local 113 disagrees with Mayor Tory on transit policy, we appreciate his willingness to collaborate and support this important day. Assaults against transit workers is an issue that is above politics.

This day will bring more public awareness to the many challenges and dangers our members face while courageously working the frontlines. December 17 will also mark the start of a new phase to ensure the TTC does more to keep our transit workers safe from violence through risk assessments, public reporting, and other plans to mitigate assaults towards TTC workers.

Like all workers, our members should feel nothing but comfort, safety, and protection while on the job.

We encourage all members to share ATU Local 113’s Facebook and Twitter posts and share what this day means for them. Please follow our social media channels to receive updates about Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day in the lead-up to December 17.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos

President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice decided today to deny the union’s request to pause the enforcement of the TTC’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. We are very disappointed with the Court’s decision to deny our request to suspend operation of the TTC’s mandatory vaccination policy.

We believe the TTC’s policy of suspending and terminating unvaccinated workers is unfair and will be struck down at arbitration. While I had hoped the Court would put a stop to this policy while we fought in arbitration, I am confident we will ultimately prevail.

This fight has never been about vaccinations, but rather about defending rights and saving jobs while still protecting public health.

Instead of firing workers, the TTC can keep our workplace safe by offering regular testing for the small percentage of workers who do not wish to receive the vaccine. This measure has already been successfully executed with Mississauga Transit and Brampton Transit and can be safely adopted in Toronto as well.

These workers need their jobs and Toronto needs these workers. The TTC’s next plan is to terminate workers and cut service. Transit riders need the service we provide – and these workers are key to providing that service.

ATU Local 113’s first priority is and always will be protecting our members’ rights and their health and safety. We will explore all available options to defend our members from unreasonable and unfair policies, and discipline imposed without just cause.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos joined Zoomer Radio yesterday to defend our members and explain how the TTC’s service cuts will harm ordinary Torontonians that depend on transit.

Service cuts are happening thanks to the TTC’s mismanagement, not because of Toronto’s transit heroes.

Brothers and Sisters,

Today, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice conducted proceedings regarding ATU Local 113’s request for an injunction, that seeks to prevent the TTC from putting employees on unpaid leave or terminating their employment until an arbitrator decides the union’s case or, in the alternative, for 60 days.

The Judge has yet to make a decision but is expected to do so in the coming days. We will update members as we learn more.

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

The TTC has just informed us that the personal information of 25,000 employees, past and present, may have been stolen during the ransomware cyber attack that occurred on October 29, 2021. The TTC has confirmed the following personal employee information may have been compromised:

• Names
• Addresses
• Social Insurance Number (SIN)

The TTC has noted that there is no evidence at this time that employees’ personal information has been misused.

ATU Local 113 is extremely concerned about this and how it impacts the breach may have affected current and former members, as well as pensioners. We expect the TTC to treat this issue with the severity it deserves and keep our union leadership and members updated. When the news of the cyber attack originally broke, ATU Local 113 noted that the security of confidential information of TTC workers must be a priority.

ATU Local 113 supports the TTC’s recommended measures that members can immediately take including:

• Signing up for TransUnion’s myTrueIdentity program by calling 1-855-912-1512.
• Calling their bank to notify them of the possible security breach.

ATU Local 113 calls on the TTC to take all necessary steps to monitor, protect and retrieve personal employee information and other sensitive data that may have been compromised in this breach.

We will keep members updated as we find out more.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos

President, ATU Local 113

Please use the arrows at the bottom of the PDF viewers to change pages.

Unredacted Version

Final TSE Report Document (unredacted)

Redacted Version

TSE Report (redacted) - _Transit_Systems_Engineering_Osgoode_Interlocking_Incident

THE TSE REPORT REDACTIONS 

BACKGROUND

Transit Systems Engineering is a transit system consulting firm based in Emeryville, CA that has worked for the TTC in the past. TSE was retained by TTC management to investigate the Osgoode incident of June 12, 2020. Their report of the investigation was submitted to TTC management on February 3, 2021. 

Members of the Board of the Toronto Transit Commission were provided with a heavily-redacted (blacked out) version of the TSE report at a closed meeting on June 16, 2021. This redacted version was posted on the TTC website: ttc.ca. At that time, TTC management announced that a “complete” report would be given at the September Board meeting. Instead, TTC management gave an unredacted version of the report to the Board at another closed meeting on July 7, 2021.  

Nearly one thousand words (25 per cent) of the TSE report were redacted by TTC management. Why? Differing explanations for these redactions were offered by TTC CEO Rick Leary and Mayor John Tory. So, the real reasons for hiding one-quarter of the report are not known. The most common speculation is that the redacted sections are criticisms of a wide range of TTC management’s misjudgements and operational failures that led to the Osgoode incident. Whatever the reasons, ATU Local 113 was able to obtain an unredacted version. Below are the sections of the TSE report that were redacted.

Words in bold type are brief summaries of the main points that were redacted.

Words in italicized type are key points in the redactions.  _____________________________________________________________________ 

No evidence of clear and adequate instruction on move to northbound track from Transit Control to pocket train crew; no evidence crew received and understood a move order; it is imperative that Operators confirm instructions by repeating them back to Transit Control. 

Therefore, it would seem reasonable that the instruction given to operators be conveyed in a way to minimize any potential mistakes. Information should include status of the signal(s) that must be observed, the position of switches that will be checked before crossing, the train run number operating ahead of the train receiving instruction (if applicable), and the clearance granted to the train before further instruction will be required. Most important, it is imperative that all operators for the intended move receive the instruction and repeat that instruction back to Transit Operations to assure receipt and comprehension of instructions. There is no documented evidence that the instruction from Transit Control included detailed directions to the operators of Run 123. There is also no evidence that the operators of Run 123 received and understood the requirements for moving the train out of the Osgoode pocket track in manual mode. This leads to question as to how the training and enforcement of Toronto Transit Commission rules for operators and controllers are conducted, and how operational reviews, and refresher courses are organized.

It is recommended that Toronto Transit Commission review and revise, as necessary, the training material as well as training schedule, refresher training and enforcement of the rules governing safe operation of revenue service operators on Line 1. The objective of such review 

and revision is to ensure understanding and competency of operating personnel to carry out their responsibilities in an operating environment wherein both automatic train control and wayside manual mode are used concurrently. The revisions should include clear instructions to operating personnel on the process to be used to implement and enforce the provisions and safety rules associated with using manual mode in ATC territories. Further, to the extent that it is necessary to continue to use certain legacy terms, the revisions should clarify such legacy terms (for example “favorable”). It is imperative that clearly understood instructions be given, and legacy terms be clarified to ensure no misunderstanding by operating personnel.

_______________________________________________________________________

TTC must review and revise, as necessary, training materials, schedules, refreshers, and enforcement. Clearly understood instructions must be given;  Clarify “legacy” terms

It is recommended that Toronto Transit Commission review and revise, as necessary, the training material as well as training schedule, refresher training and enforcement of the rules governing safe operation of revenue service operators on Line 1. The objective of such review 

and revision is to ensure understanding and competency of operating personnel to carry out their responsibilities in an operating environment wherein both automatic train control and wayside manual mode are used concurrently. The revisions should include clear instructions to operating personnel on the process to be used to implement and enforce the provisions and safety rules associated with using manual mode in ATC territories. Further, to the extent that it is necessary to continue to use certain legacy terms, the revisions should clarify such legacy terms (for example “favorable”). It is imperative that clearly understood instructions be given, and legacy terms be clarified to ensure no misunderstanding by operating personnel.

_______________________________________________________________________

No overrun protection at Osgoode interlocking; if signals had been implemented as normal, oncoming northbound train would have auto-stopped or slowed. 

Based on the video “of near miss from TR 5601 Forward Cam” as provided, there appears to be no overrun protection at the Osgoode interlocking, which increased the operational risk for the northbound train 114 movement on the main line. The video shows that when Run 123 entered the interlocking and passed the axle counter and Signal X8 defining interlocking limits, Run 114 continued to move on the main line at full authorized speed, without a brake application when approaching the station platform. The normal route locking safety standard for unrestricted trains passing a restrictive signal and entering an interlocking is to put all signals protecting an established interlocking route to restrictive. Such protection, if implemented at Osgoode Interlocking, would normally have caused train 114 to immediately brake to a stop or at a minimum slow the speed prior to any fouling by Run 123. The video clearly shows that Run 114 proceeded at full authorized speed under ATC system control into Osgoode Station without any effort to stop or slow the train. 

Imperative that operating personnel be given additional training and testing re: manual mode vs. ATC.

Since the manual mode of operation in ATC territories has the potential to create misunderstandings by operating personnel that could compromise the safety and reliability of the ATC revenue service, it is imperative that operators are aware of the difference between the manual mode and ATC mode. It is recommended that additional training and refresher courses, as well as testing and operational simulation, be conducted on a regular basis. The goal is to ensure that operators and affected TTC personnel are fully aware of the operating modes when utilizing the automatic train control system.

______________________________________________________________________

TTC wants to minimize “wayside” equipment but traditional tripping devices stop the train much faster

However, the site-specific configuration at Osgoode interlocking could have been designed using an automatic trip stop to enforce a “stop” aspect at Signal X8. Tripping devices are much faster to stop the train when it violates a wayside signal and can therefore substantially reduce the distance a train can travel when it is tripped. 

_______________________________________________________________________

GAMA feature at Osgoode deactivated; would have prevented potential crash; need to assess staff levels at Transit Control 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

It is recommended that Toronto Transit Commission draft and implement a new operating rule to regulate the activation/deactivation of the GAMA feature at specific locations of Line 1 where this feature is needed to ensure safe operation. It is also recommended that Toronto Transit Commission assess the tower controller workload at the OCC as well as its organizational structure to determine if modifications are warranted.

____________________________________________________________________________

Decommissioned trip stops should be clearly identified (paint suggested) to avoid confusion caused by two signalling systems

[T]he TSE Team believes that the implementation of such markings or identifications should address any confusion by the operating personnel related to the operational status of wayside signal equipment.

 

It is recommended that TTC uses appropriate marking or identification (for example, paint sprayed or sign at a location) to identify decommissioned wayside signal equipment. Such marking or identification should be clearly transmitted to the operations staff. It is also recommended that operations staff be available to convey to the motor persons, on an as needed basis, the status of the Line 1 operating conditions. TTC should consider using wayside supervisors to focus and assist train operators, and monitor radio communications in the newly affected areas.

_________________________________________________________________________

Conclusions

 

The TSE Team has analyzed incident data and documents received from TTC and summarized its findings and recommendations in this report. Since the Osgoode interlocking incident, TTC has published several operational notices with the intent to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future. It is understood that the ATC project is placing a significant burden on its staff and that assistance in performing their assigned duties is a factor in the undertaking. Many of the requirements for the manual operation into and out of the interlocking have been documented in the information sources published prior to this incident –   the question is how they are transmitted to the TTC staff and enforced on a daily basis. There is evidence from the interviews conducted by TTC that ongoing and rapidly changing operation to support the ATC project implementation, along with putting the new signal system into operation, may be placing difficult burdens and challenges on the TTC operating staff. Conducting service delivery tasks under such additional burdens and challenges could result in hazards to normal operation. The identification of these hazards is difficult due to the ongoing significant physical and operational changes to the signal system. The new ATC system is technically sophisticated and has a different architecture and supporting infrastructure. However, some of the traditional safety functions were not provided by the ATC system and were handled as exported hazards to TTC. The TTC operating staff is now tasked with managing service delivery and ensuring safety for all operating modes and operational scenarios. For these reasons, the TSE Team has recommended a Phase II study that is based on a quantitative fault tree analysis to identify and quantify operational risks. Phase II will focus on performing a functional comparison between the original fixed block wayside signal installation (base case) and the new ATC system based on CBTC Technology (ATC case). Further, Phase II will perform a review of TTC’s operating rules and procedures and will recommend changes as appropriate. The main objective of Phase II is to assess if the implementation of the ATC system has complied with the “Minimum Performance Requirements”, i.e., that the new ATC system is as safe or safer than the previous wayside, fixed block signal installation. Once the Phase II analysis is published, the recommendation would be for the Authority to form an operations group to work with the TSE Team. During this collaboration, the operations group would be charged with a systemwide (Line 1) review of changes needed to complete the process of mitigating the identified hazards. It is further recommended that this group have a dedicated and consistent presence to assist in assuring the tasks associated with the Phase II study, as well as existing rules and regulations, are properly implemented.

Final TSE Report Document (unredacted) TSE Report (redacted) - _Transit_Systems_Engineering_Osgoode_Interlocking_Incident

 

This is one of a series of brief video messages from Carlos Santos, President of ATU Local 113 to union members who work at the TTC. This video poses two questions to Toronto Mayor John Tory:

1) Did you know about Mr. Rick Leary’s failures as head of the Boston transit system before you supported him as CEO of the TTC?

2) Did Mr. Leary tell you, the mayor, about the Osgoode near-catastrophe in June, 2020 – an incident that revealed, through an independent investigation, numerous TTC management shortcomings and misjudgments?

TTC management have illegally changed the terms and conditions of employment. Most importantly though, “the TTC’s recent actions are an insult to TTC workers who have kept Toronto moving during the pandemic,” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos to the Toronto Star.

Toronto Star: On a new front in the TTC vaccine battle, union calls transit agency’s mandate ‘illegal’