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
Sisters and Brothers,
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness we share that an ATU Local 113 Brother passed away from COVID-19 yesterday, May 12. ATU Local 113 sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of this fallen member.
The member, who was a subway track worker from McCowan Yard nights, will be sincerely missed by all. He spent 21 years working at the TTC.
We will keep members updated as more information becomes available.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos,
President, ATU Local 113
Sisters and Brothers,
As assaults against TTC workers become more common, ATU Local 113 demands that the TTC, City of Toronto and Mayor John Tory protect transit workers and defend our right to safe work. We need more resources allocated to the TTC to help deal with this disturbing rise in violence on transit, especially during the pandemic.
The fact that 1 to 2 TTC workers are assaulted on average each day in the City of Toronto is completely unacceptable. The time to protect transit workers is now!
We are still waiting for Mayor Tory’s response to our December 2020 letter demanding action to protect TTC workers.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos,
President, ATU Local 113
Sisters and Brothers,
Last night, an ATU Local 113 member and operator from Eglinton Division was violently assaulted after asking four riders to wear masks while on a TTC vehicle. After the operator was assaulted and injured by these riders, TTC management refused to drive the operator to her work location. Instead, she had to wait 15 minutes for a bus that was running in back to the division.
It’s insulting that the TTC expects our members to drive packed buses, yet it can’t drive an operator who has just been assaulted back to their division due to COVID-19-related concerns.
The disturbing rise in assaults against transit workers throughout the pandemic is absolutely unacceptable and outrageous.
ATU Local 113 demands answers from the TTC. We are also demanding that the TTC and City of Toronto do more to protect transit workers against violent assaults. There needs to be more resources on the TTC system to ensure the safety of workers and riders. The TTC needs to enforce its mandatory masks policy for riders.
In addition to the enforcement of masks, the TTC can better protect workers by reimplementing rear-door boarding on buses, blocking the two seats behind bus operators, stopping cash payments and cease issuing paper transfers to bus riders immediately.
If members ever feel unsafe such as when carrying maskless riders, we’re reminding them that they have the right to refuse unsafe work.
Even as our members potentially face these dangerous situations, the Ontario Government has still not prioritized transit workers for COVID-19 vaccines.
We need immediate action from TTC management and the City of Toronto.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos,
President, ATU Local 113
Once again ATU Local 113 will proudly stand in solidarity with hundreds of millions of workers across the globe to celebrate a virtual May Day rally at 1pm on Saturday, May 1st, 2021. Join us at the link below!
The International Day of the Worker, widely known as May Day, commemorates the lives of the workers who died in the struggle for the eight hour work day among other labour victories.
“This year, in wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and growing economic adversity, we remain committed to raising the voices of our members, and brothers and sisters around the world,” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos.
Facebook Event: MAY DAY RALLY 2021!
Sisters and Brothers,
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we share that Zaheer Mahmood, a dedicated ATU Local 113 member and bus operator from Wilson Division passed away this morning from COVID-19 while away in Pakistan. Brother Zaheer started working at the TTC in 2013 and will be missed by all those who knew and worked with him, including his sisters and brothers at Wilson.
A loving father, Zaheer will be laid to rest in Lahore, Pakistan. ATU Local 113 sends our deepest condolences to Zaheer’s family and friends. May he rest in peace.
In Solidarity,
Carlos Santos,
ATU Local 113 President
Sisters and Brothers,
As we’re in the second year of this pandemic, the 2021 Day of Mourning takes on additional meaning. Over 650 of our members have tested positive for COVID-19. Joe Sottile, a fellow TTC worker from CUPE Local 2, passed away from COVID-19 and we have lost 149 ATU sisters and brothers from across North America. While we grieve, ATU Local 113 remains committed to the health and safety of our members on the job.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos,
ATU Local 113 President