Author: Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

Despite being the second largest transit system by ridership in Canada and the US, the TTC has the lowest level of government funding on a per trip basis and in relation to its total budget. This means that the TTC is extremely dependent on the farebox, leaving the system vulnerable to shocks. Because of this dependency, last summer the COVID-19 pandemic caused the TTC to lay off 450 of our Sisters and Brothers at the height of a generational social and economic crisis. The 450 laid-off workers have since returned thanks to ATU Local 113’s work.

To drive economic growth as our city recovers from the pandemic and to ensure our transit system is able to meet the needs of a growing commuting population, the TTC must receive adequate funding from government to support the system’s daily operations. Reducing the dependency of the TTC on its farebox will build a better future for our city and our communities. Join us in pushing the government to properly fund the TTC!

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

The women of ATU Local 113 are a vital part of our union!

As part of #WomensHistoryMonth, the women’s committee put together this video that shows women’s vast contributions to ATU Local 113 and the TTC. Together, let’s move gender equity forward.

Sisters and Brothers,

Today, ATU Local 113 acknowledges two important one-year anniversaries. On March 19, 2020, the first ATU Local 113 member was tested positive for COVID-19. Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the TTC allowing our members to wear masks.

Just over a year ago, TTC management did not allow us to wear masks saying they would focus on “educating” us instead. From the beginning of the pandemic, ATU Local 113 had to fight hard to secure protections for members including the basic right to wear masks. One year into this crisis, we remain committed to fighting for your safety and well-being.

We’ll continue demanding that the TTC do everything it can to protect you, including the optional priority access to vaccine. The TTC has yet to communicate its plan to vaccinate workers who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Our members need clarity.

ATU Local 113 has now sent letters to TTC CEO Rick Leary and Premier Doug Ford requesting that transit workers have the option to receive priority access to vaccines. Neither have replied to our requests. ATU Local 113 members work on the frontlines of the pandemic. Over 550 TTC employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and we’re happy to see most of them return to work. We look forward to seeing those who are still recovering back at work soon.

Between the pandemic, layoffs and the threat of privatization, it’s been a tough year for public transit workers, but we’ll come out of this stronger and more united. As we negotiate a new contract with the TTC, we will never stop fighting to secure your safety, wages, benefits and job security.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos,
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has seen a rise in anti-Asian racism including here in Toronto. Particularly disturbing, Asian women have been disproportionately impacted by an increase of hate crimes this past year. This is unacceptable and extremely concerning for our members and Canadians.

ATU Local 113 denounces all forms of racism including anti-Asian racism. We stand in solidarity with the Asian-Canadian community and call on all levels of governments to take real measures to combat racism.

ATU Local 113 is committed to fighting intolerance and hate of any kind in our communities and we all have a role to play as we build a more inclusive and equal society.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos,
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

March 18 is Transit Worker Appreciation Day.

Over the past year, ATU Local 113 members have seen it all as frontline workers working during a global pandemic. It’s been a tough year but the resilience, grit and commitment to Toronto you continue to show is an absolute inspiration. Our members work tirelessly and put themselves in harm’s way to keep our city moving.

Toronto has much to appreciate. Thank you.

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

On March 21st, ATU Local 113 will be joining the Toronto & York Region Labour Council and the Urban Alliance on Race Relations – UARR for an online forum to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. We’re encouraging all members to register for the event at the link below.

“Let’s stand together to eliminate racism and discrimination” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/making-good-trouble-international-day-for-the-elimination-of-racism-2021-tickets-141831597125

Today’s edition of The Toronto Star features a full page dedicated to ATU Local 113’s new On Guard For You campaign. Check it out below.

Be sure to follow On Guard For You on social media and head to the website to learn more.

“The TTC’s One Person Train Operation idea is dangerous and should be subject to further study and public consultation” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos

Sisters and Brothers,

ATU Local 113 joins our colleagues in Canada’s labour movement in expressing solidarity with millions of agricultural workers in India protesting legislation that would put their livelihoods at risk. The new farm laws, which were enacted last year without any stakeholder engagement or debate, would expose individual farmers directly to the global food industry and international markets and take away the supports and tools for collective action that they have today.

By turning food staples into a financial commodity, these new laws risk driving India’s millions of small farms further into debt, poverty and insecurity while removing a secure source of food for the poor. About 70% of Indians rely on agriculture and the new laws are an unprecedented destabilization of the livelihood and food supply of hundreds of millions of people. The laws are being put forward by the anti-worker Modi government at the request of international corporate interests and the governments of wealthy, western nations.

Millions of farmers and their supporters have maintained protests for months, including ongoing blockades around Delhi. While the protests have been peaceful, the government’s response has not been. Protesters have been met with assault, arrest and detention. The movement has grown to other industries across India and to other countries around the world to become the largest workers’ movement in modern history.

Workers all over the world are being pushed into poverty and insecurity by business interests and the governments that support them. In India as in Canada, we are seeing the goods and services we rely on, like food, shelter or transportation, become commodities for financial speculation for profit. When this happens, prices go up and working people suffer. The only winners are the corporate interests who extract profit.

ATU Local 113 stands in solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters in India. We also stand with our members with family in India for whom this is personal. Your struggle is our struggle. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

We call on all people, workers, government officials and leaders to join us and our ATU Brothers and Sisters to wholeheartedly condemn the actions of the Indian government.

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 wishes our members a fast and quick recovery and stands with those who are concerned about potential exposure to the coronavirus.

“The TTC should be sending all workers at any work location who may have been exposed to COVID-19 home to self-monitor for symptoms. It’s regrettable that our members only get 75% of pay when sick or forced to self-isolate due to COVID-19 exposure. The TTC needs to do the right thing and provide 100% of pay to unionized employees who have endured so much by working through a global pandemic for nearly a year,” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos

City News: TTC employees raise alarm bells about COVID-19 protocols