Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 was in the Court of Appeal on January 15, 2024, fighting to maintain its right to strike. In May 2023 Local 113’s legal team at UPFH led by, Ian Fellows, had the ban on strikes by workers at the TTC declared unconstitutional as an unlawful denial of members Charter right to freedom of association. Doug Ford’s government is appealing that decision. The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision. 

It is with deep sadness that ATU Local 113 announces the passing of Paul Haynes, former Executive Board Member.

Brother Haynes was a valued and active member of our Local, having served us as Shop Steward for Roncesvalles and as the Executive Board Member representing Queensway/Roncesvalles/Russell (2010 – 2012). He is remembered for his contributions to supporting our members and engaging them in our union. He enjoyed his time working with the Board and was passionate about fighting for the rights of our members through grievances and the arbitration process. He was very proud of the outcomes he achieved on behalf of our operators and his time serving our members.

Brother Haynes passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024, with his loving family by his side. He was born on March 25, 1953, to Eustace Haynes and Dorothy Haynes and lived his early years in Aruba. He is survived by his wife Clara Batista, three children, and four grandchildren.

Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Further details will be announced.

The Executive Board

ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 noted that Sunday’s fire incident underscores the need to have more operators on trains. Had the train been in the tunnels as opposed to the station, the passengers would have been at heightened risk because Line 1 trains only have one operator on board, ATU Local 113 said in a statement.

Fire chief warns of e-bike safety risk after TTC incident (thestar.com)

ATU Local 113 has called on the TTC to bring back the approach of having two operators on trains following a fire at Yonge-Sheppard station on Sunday

Here’s how the Toronto subway e-bike fire erupted | CP24.com

On New Year’s Eve, a large fire occurred on the car of a TTC subway train at the Yonge-Sheppard subway platform on Line 1.  Thankfully, no one lost their life. However, several individuals were injured. It was “fortunate” that the fire broke out while the train was at a station with the doors open to the platform. If the train had been partially or fully in the tunnel at the time of the fire, the outcome could have been very different on account of this train only having a single crew member.

ATU Local 113 has repeatedly raised its concern that the One Person Train Operation poses a serious risk to passenger safety in the event of a fire on board the train.

If this fire occurred in the tunnel, the operator would have been cut off from the passengers by the flames. Assuming the operator was not overcome by fumes,  they would have been able to evacuate themselves through the front of the train, but the passengers would have been left in a smoke-filled train unassisted by any trained personnel.  When and if passengers were able to evacuate themselves they would be going into a tunnel filled with smoke and with a live electrified third rail.

Prior to the TTC implementing One Person Train Operation on this subway line, there were always two operators on board the train. In the event that the fire occurred on a subway train in the tunnel, there would have been an operator on either end who could assist passengers. This would ensure that no passengers would be cut off from trained TTC subway crew onboard the train, and that there would be a crew member to evacuate passengers and cut electric power.

Local 113’s concerns have been ignored by the TTC, presumably so they can “save” literally just a few pennies per ride. The fire that occurred on New Year’s Eve proves that this significant safety concern is not hypothetical, but rather a real one that the TTC should take seriously.

This was a near miss and the TTC should immediately return to two-person operation, as currently exists on Line 2.

Happy New Year! ATU Local 113 wishes you happiness, prosperity, and good fortune in 2024.

ATU Local 113 wishes a happy Kwanza to all who celebrate! Kwanzaa is a festival of unity, faith, love, and creativity. I hope it fills your life with all these wonderful things. Happy Kwanzaa!

ATU Local 113 wishes a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! May this holiday season bring you laughter, joy, and the good company of family and friends.

On December 17^th, the City of Toronto will mark Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day.

ATU Local 113 continues to advocate strongly for transit workers in Toronto and to fight to make the TTC a safer place to work.

In 2021, Local 113 launched a survey to better understand the experiences and safety concerns of our members. The results highlighted that the problem of violence and harassment is worse than we thought. Our union has  since called on the TTC and the City of Toronto to work with us to make public transit a safer place for workers and passengers alike.

Last year, our union held a joint press conference with ATU Canada, where our members offered their testimony on the violence and assaults they encountered on the job, and the impact these incidents have on their daily lives.

As a result of the union’s due diligence, a Joint Management Health and Safety committee was established to ensure the employer was held accountable for safer work environments for all.

Local 113 continues to pursue several recommendations to develop and implement a comprehensive workers’ safety strategy, including:

Building greater public awareness

As a significant number of assaults on transit workers are committed by members of the public, it is important to develop a better relationship with the public and to create engagement with transit professionals. Conversations must take place within the community to raise awareness. In-person outreach programs can be designed to implement a customer campaign focused on respecting TTC employees and keeping them safe.

Improvements to organizational culture

To support our members and create a workplace environment that prioritizes employees, there needs to be improvements to organizational culture. The TTC needs to improve the current reporting system and actively listen and act upon worker-initiated reports more vigorously. They need to do more to support transit workers mental health, promote diversity and inclusion, improve investigation procedure and risk assessment, provide better training, protection and enforcement, and create external campaigns to increase community engagement.

Investments in improved technology and innovation

Local 113 has recommended that engineering controls be put in place to provide more protective barriers in the workplace to prevent transit workers assaults. Improved communications technology, measures, and procedures for summoning immediate assistance when workplace violence occurs is also required.

Enforcement of proper penalties

There must be consistent and proper enforcement of penalties for members of the public who violate the guidelines on harassment and discrimination or commit acts of violence.

Stopping the violence and assaults on public transit requires collaboration and a commitment to results.

Local 113 will continue to have the voices of our members heard, and advocate for making public transit safer for all.