Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 urges the TTC to protect members’ personal information

by Stephanie Gomez

President Carlos Santos released the following statement regarding ATU Local 113’s recent grievance about the TTC displaying bus operator badge numbers on vehicles.

“ATU Local 113’s members have expressed significant concerns with the TTC publicly disclosing their badge numbers on buses. Badge numbers are tied to confidential personal information, including payroll, benefits, and third-party bank accounts, and our members feel that this is a clear violation of their privacy. The public disclosure of personal information such as badge numbers could increase the risk of identity theft, fraud, and increased harassment.

ATU Local 113 is committed to protecting the privacy of its members and is disappointed with the dismissal of the grievance in arbitration. Our union will continue to stand up for member’s rights, including the right to privacy, and urges the TTC to follow the guidance of the arbitrator and work with ATU Local 113 to find a solution that does not involve the public disclosure of member information.”

TTC Spokesperson Stuart Green said management has no intention of scrapping the policy. The TTC plans to start displaying streetcar operators’ numbers as it upgrades those vehicles’ communication systems and will consider incorporating the feature in its next purchase of subway cars.

President Carlos Santos and ATU Local 113 are urging the TTC to follow the arbitrator’s recommendation and develop a new system that would give riders enough information to provide accurate feedback while not divulging badge numbers of transit workers.

Toronto Star: Union loses fight to stop TTC from displaying drivers’ badge numbers on buses

ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos’ statement on $14.9 billion transit funding announcement

by Stephanie Gomez

Please see below for ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos’ statement on yesterday’s announcement that the federal government will provide $14.9 billion for public transit projects across Canada over the next eight years.

“While any new funding for transit is welcome, this announcement includes no new funding for transit operations which is what ATU Local 113, ATU Canada and other allies have been advocating for. Operational funding is what the TTC and other transit systems need to recover from the pandemic and help kickstart our economy.

As the government clarifies the distribution of the announced funding in the coming weeks, ATU Local 113 will continue to advocate for funding to support the TTC’s operations”

CBC: Trudeau pledges billions in permanent funding for public transit

ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos’ Statement on Shameful Removal of an Operator’s Black History Month Display

by Stephanie Gomez

Here is a statement from Carlos Santos, ATU Local 113 President, regarding the shameful removal of a bus driver’s Black History Month display at Wilson Division.

“ATU Local 113 is deeply concerned and has demanded answers from the TTC as to why a TTC manager removed our member’s Black History Month display at Wilson Division. I spoke with TTC CEO Rick Leary today about this incident and he confirmed the TTC is investigating the matter. We will always fight back against acts of intolerance.”

Toronto Sun: TTC investigating removal of bus driver’s Black History Month display

Ontario Government Extends Emergency Child Care Services to ATU Local 113 Members

by Stephanie Gomez

While we wish the government had moved sooner, we’re happy the province has listened to our union and extended emergency child care services to ATU Local 113 members.

Find out more here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/statement/60254/ontario-expands-emergency-child-care-to-more-frontline-workers

– ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos and the Executive Board

Letter to Premier Ford - Daycare - January 29, 2021

Toronto transit workers and riders call on Premier Ford to legislate employer-paid sick days

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

Transit workers and riders have come together to call for universal employer-paid sick days because it will make public transit safer and make transit workplaces fairer. Paid sick days are urgently needed to save lives and curb the spread of COVID 19.

We, the undersigned, support the Decent Work & Health Network call for seven (7) permanent paid sick days for all workers and an additional fourteen (14) days during public health outbreaks. We will encourage our members to get involved in the campaign for paid sick days.

Signed,

ATU Local 113
TTCRiders
CUPE Local 2
SEIU Local 2

Every transit worker needs employer-paid sick days

Not all TTC workers have access to paid sick days, because some TTC work has been contracted out to private companies and temp agencies, where workers have fewer protections. This is why we support keeping transit public. Provincial legislation is needed to make sure that every worker in Ontario has access to paid sick leave.

Paid sick days will make transit safer for everyone

Without provincially legislated paid sick days, people are travelling to work on transit while sick. This puts other passengers and transit workers at risk. The lack of paid sick days has especially hurt Black, Indigenous, workers of colour and women workers who are over-represented in frontline jobs, with low pay, few benefits, and without the ability to work from home.

Join the movement for paid sick days for all!

Ways you can support:

Call your MPP: https://www.15andfairness.org/paid_sick_days_for_all

Send an email message: https://www.decentworkandhealth.org/paidsickdays

Pass a resolution: https://springmag.ca/legislate-paid-sick-days-for-all-draft-motion

ATU Local 113 and ATU International Commemorate Fallen Transit Workers at Biden Inaugural Candlelight COVID-19 Memorial

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 stands in solidarity with ATU International in commemorating all the lives lost to COVID-19 at the Biden Inaugural Candlelight COVID Memorial.

This includes many ATU Sisters and Brothers, frontline workers who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities moving. We will always honour and remember these fallen heroes.

Living the Practice: Anti-Racist in the workplace

by Stephanie Gomez

This workshop is an opportunity for participants to impact and shape the work of equity within their place of work. This session will help participants:

  • To have an opportunity to get interactive and real about experiences of anti- Black racism, in the workplace and in everyday life.
  • Address daily interactions in workplace environments and how anti-racist theories can be put into practice.
  • Share examples or solicit advise on how to ensure anti-racist principles are alive within the workforce.
  • Learn about emerging themes and impacts which will be shared at the end of this workshop.

SHEQUITA THOMPSON-REID

Shequita Thompson-Reid has been working at the intersections of community development and equity for over 15 years. Currently, she brings with her expertise within the fields of Program Development, Youth Engagement, Capacity Building, Housing, Violence Prevention, Conflict Mediation and Equity. She is well versed in working from practices rooted in decolonization and anti-oppression frameworks. Shequita has worked successfully across various organizations to lead and support a range of broad band and high impact outcomes to achieve the desired goals at multi-level and multi-sectoral non-profit and government spaces. Shequita has developed, led and facilitated training and education on Conflict Mediation, Violence Prevention, Equity and Anti-Oppression to name a few. She also excels in coaching and professional development for individuals, executives and organizations looking to engage in change management processes. Shequita also co-founded a grassroots program, Words of Wisdom. This program used books as a catalyst towards having deeper conversations into inter- generational trauma, identity, equity and healthy relationships. In 2015, she traveled to Ghana to participate in a knowledge exchange with young women and girls globally, and developed collaborative strategies to end gender-based violence. She holds an Honors BA from the University of Toronto with a specialization in -Sociology and Gender Studies.

Standing in your Power

by Stephanie Gomez

This workshop will help participants:

  • To explore the ways in which social activism has shaped our society and the specific impacts that Black activism has had in Ontario in particular. For example, the creation of the Human Rights Commission.
  • To reframe the way in which they look at activism and consider the benefits and challenges demonstrated through different activism approaches.
  • To provide participants with concrete advise and tips on how to stand in their power and be social justice activists in their daily lives.

CHARLINE GRANT

Charline is a trailblazer in the diversity, equity and inclusion field, and a fierce advocate for racialized children. In 2016, she led a human rights challenge against one of Ontario’s largest school boards, the York Region District School Board (YRDSB). Determined to change the racism and discrimination her own children faced from the YRDSB, Grant and other diverse community leaders fought against anti-Black racism & anti-Muslim discrimination with resounding success. Charline currently sits on the York Children’s Aid Society Board, representing the needs of Black parents and children. She is also the first person to occupy the position of Provincial Education System Navigator for Parents of Black Children, helping parents navigate the oppressive education system. Charline was the chief advocate in the fight to include hate- related incidents in the professional misconduct criteria for the Ontario College of Teachers, and successfully secured this change. She is leading the charge for education reform, and a new partnership with the Toronto Raptors will ensure change happens for all. In addition to her advocacy, Charline is a business-owner, board member and advisor for a number of organizations & non-profits. She is dedicated, resilient and passionate about standing up against racism and hate in all forms. Charline is also a wife and the proud mother to three amazing children Ziphion, Kezia and Eleazar.

VIDEO: ATU Local 113 Wins When We’re UNITED

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We’re starting 2021 with the launch of the ATU Local 113 UNITED campaign. Whether it’s moving Toronto, fighting for health and safety or keeping transit public, ATU Local 113 wins when we’re united.

Our power depends on every member’s participation. That’s why we’re encouraging all members to fill out the member survey for 2021 contract negotiations here: https://wemovetoronto.ca/member-updates/survey-for-members-atu-local-113-transit-worker-issues/

Get involved with your union and let’s move forward together!

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113