Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 Condemns The Verbal Assault of a Transit Worker

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 strongly condemns the behaviour of a passenger who verbally assaulted a transit worker onboard a TTC bus on Wednesday, September 9th. The passenger launched a harmful, racist and misogynistic verbal tirade against the transit worker who was simply doing her job. Transit workers are entitled to the same level of safety and security as all workers.

ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred spoke with the media about the importance of safe working conditions for transit workers and why this behaviour should never be tolerated.

News Coverage

Online/Print:

Toronto Star: Man charged after hate-filled tirade at TTC bus driver (thestar.com) 

Toronto Sun: A racial tirade against a black female TTC driver has man on charges | Toronto Sun

CBC: Man arrested after video shows TTC driver being yelled and sworn at | CBC News

CityNews: Verbal abuse of TTC bus driver shown in profanity-laced video (citynews.ca)

Broadcast:

Global News: Man charged in mischief investigation involving Toronto bus driver: police – Toronto | Globalnews.ca

CTV: TTC bus operator was the victim of a ‘verbally abusive’ attack, union says | CTV News

CP24: TTC bus operator was the victim of a ‘verbally abusive’ attack, union says | CTV News

Statement from ATU Local 113 President on member abuse from passenger

by Stephanie Gomez

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’s President’s Message – Labour Day Parade 

by Stephanie Gomez

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.