ATU Local 113 has learned that the individual who verbally abused our member has been arrested.
We will wait for further updates from the Toronto Police Service.
Statement from ATU Local 113 President on member abuse from passenger
I have become aware of footage documenting racist, misogynistic abuse directed at a member of ATU Local 113. Our member was just doing her job when she was verbally assaulted and threatened by a member of the public. This is profoundly unacceptable. Our members are on the frontlines and they are entitled to the same standard of safety and security as all workers.
In light of this and other recent events, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113 demands that the TTC and Toronto Police Service do everything in their power and jurisdiction to ensure that criminal, racist, and misogynistic behaviour towards transit workers be met with real and substantial consequences.
Specifically, we demand that the assailant be charged criminally and permanently banned from access to the TTC. All Torontonians should feel safe and welcome on the TTC. Actions such as those depicted in the footage should forfeit an individual’s right to access to public transit. No worker, whether serving public transit or otherwise, should have to deal with this type of abuse in their place of work.
We are heartened by the response to date from Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Jamaal Myers. They have indicated their support for our member. Their support and that of co-workers and peers who have reached out to the member is much appreciated.
We are however, deeply troubled by the lack of support shown by TTC management to our member. No resources were made available to her at the scene of the incident, and she was forced to drive her own bus to a station to engage supervisory staff. This indifference and lack of support of its employees is a sad symptom of a culture at TTC that has long needed a change.
Our member has indicated to us that this was a troubling and an unfortunate incident for her. She feels that no one should be subjected to this criminal and offensive behaviour. She has requested respect of her privacy as she tries to move forward with her work as an Operator.
ATU Local 113 with Mayor Chow and Gord Perks at this year’s Labour Day Parade
For the first time in a while, Toronto has a leader who stands up for unions, labour workers, and our members.
We look forward to working alongside Mayor Chow and City Council to protect, invest, and improve public transit.
Thank you to the political allies of labour workers!
Thank you to political leaders who show up to demonstrate their support for labour workers in Toronto!
Photographed are Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles and NDP MPPs Peter Tabuns and Bhutila Karpoche.
Celebrating labour workers!
ATU Local 113 joined thousands of workers, unions, and allies today as we celebrated the work of labourers in Toronto.
ATU Local 113’s Executive and Members march in today’s Labour Day Parade
The Labour Day Parade is such an important time to recognize the history of Toronto’s labour movement, while looking forward to continued advocacy for workers everywhere.
Our Executive board members and ATU Local 113 members & their families joined the parade march this morning.
ATU Local 113’s President’s Message – Labour Day Parade
Today we honour workers everywhere and across all sectors. It’s something that we will be celebrating this weekend, as we march in solidarity with our brothers and sisters.
Throughout Toronto’s history, the Labour Day parade has been an important commemoration of labourer’s efforts in standing up for our rights and ensuring our voices are heard.
On behalf of ATU Local 113’s Executive Board, shop stewards, and members, we invite you to join us to continue to celebrate Labour Day and all the many achievements of the Labour Movement.
Notice – Labour Day Parade (Monday, September 4 2023)
ATU Local 113 members are welcome to join us in this year’s Labour Day Parade on Monday, September 4. Details can be found on the poster.
ATU Local 113 supports Mayor Chow’s decision to reverse TTC’s cuts to service
ATU Local 113 is pleased with the direction from Mayor Olivia Chow to begin the process of reversing the TTC’s cuts to service.
This is a critical step to restore confidence in our public transit system for those who depend on it, including Toronto’s transit riders and transit workers.
ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred Advocates for Hiring Unionized Workers
“We would like for the people that are populating transit worker positions to be local, unionized labour because I think that is the best way to deliver that service reliably to the public.”
ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred spoke to the CBC about how the TTC’s efforts to hire workers through a staffing agency prevents the union from advocating for those employees.