Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos tells it like it is with Jamil Jivani. The TTC should focus on persuasion, not coercion to get workers vaccinated.

Check out the visualizer below to hear President Santos’ recent interview with Newstalk 1010.

Sisters and Brothers,

This week, the TTC declared its intention to unilaterally alter the start dates for the Bus, Streetcar, and Subway Board Period Sign-Ups. This is a flagrant and egregious breach of the Collective Agreement, the Sign-Up Regulations, and the Labour Relations Act.

This totally unprecedented move creates unnecessary conflict and poses a very serious risk to passenger service levels and reliability. The TTC have offered no reasons for their clear violation of both Ontario law and negotiated agreements. TTC CEO Rick Leary needs to explain why he is suddenly preparing to reduce the number of vehicles serving TTC riders.

The Sign-Up Regulations state that “the initial selection will be conducted according to the yearly Board Period, (or as mutually agreed upon).” Furthermore, the TTC and ATU Local 113 have agreed to a system to address a change in workforce in advance of a scheduled Sign-Up.

Rather than follow the rules agreed upon, the TTC has chosen to break them. This is fundamentally inconsistent with the bedrock principles of labour relations and demonstrates genuine disrespect to the Union and its hardworking members – who have kept Toronto moving throughout the pandemic.

The TTC and ATU Local 113 are currently in a statutory freeze period in which “the employer shall not, except with the consent of the bargaining agent, alter the rates of wages or any other term or condition of employment”. The TTC’s unilateral actions violate this clear legal requirement.

Today, we informed the TTC of the need to immediately correct their actions. If not, ATU Local 113 will file an Unfair Labour Practice Application at the Ontario Labour Relations Board for breach of the statutory freeze provisions. You can read our letters to the TTC below.

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Letter to Rick Leary, Chief Executive Officer, TTC

Letter to James Ross, Chief Operating Officer, TTC

On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect on the injustices against Indigenous peoples and the trauma residential schools have caused. ATU Local 113 is dedicated to the dismantling of institutional discrimination, and the path toward real reconciliation.

We encourage all members to observe the day and utilize our Indigenous History resources at Indigenous History – ATU Local 113 (wemovetoronto.ca)

– ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos

August 5: Letter to Megan MacRae, Executive Director – Human Resources

September 10: Letter to Megan MacRae, Executive Director – Human Resources

September 23: Letter to Richard Leary, TTC CEO

Please click arrows at the bottom of the page in order to scroll through the entire document.

Sisters and Brothers,

ATU Local 113 is distraught and horrified by the news that a Muslim family in London were killed in a targeted Islamophobic attack. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who were terrorized by this act of hatred.

Islamophobia has no place in our union, city or country. ATU Local 113 stands in solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers against all forms of hate and violence.

In Solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

This weekend our country was forced to confront the atrocities it has committed against Indigenous peoples of this land and acknowledge the systemic inequalities it continues to perpetuate. The discovery of an unmarked mass grave containing the remains of 215 children from the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory near a Kamloops residential school has rightfully brought forth feelings of pain, anguish and anger. It is clear that Canada must do better and implement tangible measures towards real reconciliation.

ATU local 113 is distraught and heartbroken by the news. We are dedicated to supporting the Indigenous community throughout and beyond this crisis. Our union aims to foster a culture of support, equality and inclusion. We are unequivocally committed to the dismantling of institutional discrimination against Indigenous peoples.

For non-Indigenous members, please ensure to utilize our Indigenous History Month educational resources to further our allyship:

Resources – ATU Local 113 Indigenous History Month

Additionally, we will be holding virtual educational workshops throughout Indigenous History Month which we encourage all to sign up to here:

Events – ATU Local 113 Indigenous History Month

Most importantly, to our Indigenous members directly impacted and forced to relive the realities of their personal and intergenerational traumas, know that we are not only deeply sorry, but we are also with you, shoulder-to-shoulder.

In Solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we share that Cam Woodburne, a dedicated ATU Local 113 member from Wilson Division, passed away today after a 26-day battle with COVID-19.

Brother Cam had been working at the TTC for 21 years – most recently as a subway operator. He will be missed by all those who knew and worked with him.

ATU Local 113 sends its deepest condolences to Brother Cam’s friends and families. May he rest in peace.

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

The subway guard is crucial to keeping TTC riders safe.

“TTC management’s plan to eliminate Subway Guards is a public safety setback for the system’s 1.5 million daily passengers,” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos to blogTO.

BlogTO: TTC plans to make a change that some say will make things less safe for commuters