These are real people who have dedicated themselves to keeping Toronto moving. Daniel Medina explains the effects an assault in 2021 had on him. He spoke out to raise awareness. Assaults on transit workers must stop.
VIDEO: Anna Cohen’s Story
Behind every uniform is a human being. Assaults in the workplace affect transit workers’ everyday lives. No one should have to suffer from abuse or violent attacks for doing their job. In our recent press conference, ATU Local 113 member Anna Cohen shared her story.
VIDEO: ATU Local 113 Celebrates Black History Month
As we begin Black History Month 2022, ATU Local 113 celebrates the success of previous Black leaders and continues to create opportunities for those of tomorrow.
We are committed to creating a more inclusive Union and invite all members to celebrate Black History Month!
ATU Local 113 Wishes Members a Happy Lunar New Year!
Today, we welcome the Year of the Tiger!
ATU Local 113 wishes all those who celebrate a Happy Lunar New Year! We hope this year brings you prosperity, good fortune and good health.
ATU Local 113 Wishes Members a Happy New Year
Happy New Year Sisters and Brothers! The ATU Local 113 Executive Board wishes members and their families a safe, healthy and successful 2022.
ATU Local 113 and Mayor John Tory Agree to Declare Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day
Sisters and Brothers,
We are pleased to share that Mayor John Tory has agreed to declare December 17th 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
ATU Local 113 Update on Denial of Mandatory Vaccination Injunction
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
Zoomer Radio Interviews ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos
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.
ATU Local 113 Update on Request for Injunction with Ontario Superior Court of Justice
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
ATU Local 113 Update on TTC Employees’ Personal Information Being Stolen in Cyber Attack
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