This International Women’s Day, we stand in solidarity with women workers across Toronto — celebrating progress and continuing the fight for equity, safety, and opportunities to thrive in our workplaces and communities.
Join the ATU Local 113 Women’s Committee:
Saturday, March 7, 2026
11:00 AM
OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor St W, Toronto
All are welcome. Let’s stand together and keep pushing forward.
In lead up to International Women’s Day, we’re proud to highlight the voices of women in ATU Local 113
Nancy Melo, a member since 2017, has built a strong path in transit — from CSA to Divisional Trainer, and now serving as Co-Chair of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. Nancy Melo, a member since 2017, has built a strong path in transit — from CSA to Divisional Trainer, and now serving as Co-Chair of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. Through her leadership, she continues to champion mentorship, worker education, and strong protections that help create safer, more respectful workplaces.
Juliet Daria, a member for 2½ years working in Subway Operations and as a Subway Yard Operator, shares her experience navigating a male-dominated environment. Through her work and perspective, she highlights the importance of confidence, continued learning, and supporting more women entering roles across the industry.
Together, their voices remind us that when women support one another, we don’t just succeed — we help transform our workplaces.
“If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others.” – Michelle Obama
As we approach International Women’s Day, we’re proud to spotlight the voices of women in ATU Local 113
Nadia Papineau, a member since 2023 working in the Streetcar Maintenance Department through the Light Rail Tech Apprenticeship program, reflects on finding a supportive and empowering community within the union. While progress continues in making workplaces more inclusive, she notes that collaboration between workers and management is helping address challenges and improve conditions for women entering the trades.
Zoi Tsilimigras, a member of 8 months, shares her experience navigating a male-dominated workplace and overcoming being underestimated. Her advice to others considering the trades is simple: stay confident, work hard, and don’t let anyone discourage you from pursuing what you’re passionate about.
We need more women and women-identifying workers in the trades. Greater representation strengthens our collective voice and helps build a more inclusive future.
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Every year on March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day to commemorate the pursuit of equality, women’s rights, and impactful representation.
Our ATU Local 113 Women’s Committee is composed of elected women from both transportation and maintenance. Our mission is to highlight the challenges that women face in the workforce and everyday life – through education, support, community engagement and advocating for greater opportunities that effect change – particularly in leadership, mentorship, and apprenticeship roles.
To honour our commitment to improving visibility and addressing barriers for women in our industry, ATU 113 Women’s Committee are proud to feature our female members from various sectors across the property in recognition of International Women’s Day.
ATU Local 113 wishes the Hindu community, and all who celebrate, a Holi filled with love, laughter, and vibrant colour.
ATU Local 113 was proud to support The Children’s Breakfast Clubs (TCBC) visit to Ottawa as part of their Black History Month celebration.
Over 100 students from Toronto schools took part, bringing incredible energy and curiosity to the day’s activities. Our Executive Board Members Bryan Lewis and Andrew McAnuff joined the students and educators throughout the visit.
ATU Local 113 contributed to the event by providing the Black History Month shirts, which the students wore with pride and which the organizers noted added a strong sense of unity to the experience. Our team also provided the operators and coordinated the buses with the TTC to ensure seamless transportation for the participants from start to finish.
We remain committed to supporting youth in our communities through meaningful engagement, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.
Thank you to The Children’s Breakfast Clubs for organizing this impactful annual event. We look forward to continuing this important work together.
At the week’s Build Green Symposium at Humber Polytechnic, ATU Local 113 leaders showcased the growing career opportunities in the skilled trades at the TTC, while addressing the need to challenge outdated stereotypes.
As investment in green infrastructure accelerates, so does the demand for dedicated skilled workers. The skilled trades offer strong career pathways, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on our communities.
ATU Local 113 remains committed to raising awareness and opening doors for the next generation of talent.
Ontario’s public transit system is facing a growing crisis with a severe shortage of skilled trades workers. ATU Local 113 is calling on the provincial government to strengthen its support for apprenticeships through the Skills Development Fund. Our union continues to raise awareness about the widening skills gap impacting the TTC.
Toronto’s transit network depends on thousands of highly trained workers – from the operators of buses, subways, streetcars, LRTs, and paratransit services to skilled tradespeople who work behind the scenes and make public transit possible. Skilled workers include Coach Technicians, General Body Repair Persons, HVAC specialists, Plumbers, and Bricklayers. These are stable, well?paid careers that support families and build strong communities.
But the challenges are mounting. An aging workforce means that 30 – 40% of current skilled trades employees at our locations will retire within the next 5 – 10 years. In some departments, nearly half of the workforce is approaching retirement. Meanwhile, many young people aren’t considering skilled trades as viable, prosperous career paths.
This shortage isn’t limited to the TTC — it impacts the entire province. That’s why we’re urging the government to invest in a public awareness campaign and increase funding for skilled trades apprenticeships to ensure a sustainable, well-trained workforce for the future of transit.
We must act now to close the skilled trades gap and protect the reliability of public transit for generations to come.
Watch our apprentice’s story to see how investing in skilled workforce development today secures the public transit infrastructure of tomorrow.
This International Women’s Day, we stand in solidarity with women workers across Toronto to celebrate progress and continue our fight for equity, safety, and opportunities to thrive at workplaces and in communities.
Join the ATU Local 113 Women’s Committee at the:
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM
Where: OISE Auditorium, 252 Bloor St W, Toronto
Black History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians — past and present.