As part of ATU Local 113’s advocacy for government funding, President Carlos Santos sent the below letter to all 25 Toronto MPs urging the federal government to provide emergency funding to the TTC.
Letter to MPs re Emergency Funding for TTC - June 26 2020Toronto Sun: Pandemic threatens the TTC as we know it
As we face the prospect of major service cuts, ATU Local 113 is reiterating its calls for the provincial and federal government to provide emergency funding to the TTC.
ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos recently told the Toronto Sun that “We are now on the brink of service cuts that will hurt all Torontonians, especially the essential, low-income workers who depend on the TTC every day to get to work at hospitals, nursing homes, grocery stores and pharmacies,”
Click the link below to read the full article.
ATU Local 113 Bus Operator from Queensway Division Tests Positive for COVID-19
Sisters and Brothers,
We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator from Queensway Division, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
I spoke with the member who is recovering at home. On behalf of all ATU Local 113 members, I wished them a quick and speedy recovery.
The member’s last shift was on Sunday, June 21 driving the 506 Carlton night bus from approximately 8:45 p.m. to 5:45 a.m. The member started showing symptoms on Monday, June 22 and received the positive test result on Thursday, June 25.
This diagnosis marks the 55th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Eleven TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of TTC employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 66.
Please practice physical distancing as much as possible before, during and after your shifts – and stay home if you feel unwell.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113
ATU Local 113 Members Donate to Daily Bread Food Bank
On June 3rd, ATU Local 113 members honoured our union’s longstanding tradition of giving back to the communities we work in by joining forces with the TTC for an important food drive for the Daily Bread Food Bank. The pandemic has undoubtedly affected this year’s community outreach and charity efforts which is why it’s more important than ever to give back if you can.
Through food donations from members, financial proceeds from ATU Local 113 and members volunteering their time, ATU Local 113 provided 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food and a generous cash donation to the Daily Bread Food Bank.
A huge thanks to all members who donated and those who volunteered. When the TTC bus experienced mechanical issues a block away from the food bank, members immediately stepped up to fill ATU Local 113’s van and successfully deliver our donations. As we know, our members are among Toronto’s finest and were not going to be discouraged by a slight logistical challenge.
For over a century, we’ve been active in the local communities we serve and we were thrilled we could honour that tradition this month.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos, ATU Local 113 President
ATU Local 113 Collector from Danforth Division Tests Positive for COVID-19
Sisters and Brothers,
We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a collector from Danforth Division, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
I spoke with the member who is recovering at home. On behalf of all ATU Local 113 members, I wished them a quick and speedy recovery.
The member’s last shift was on April 11 and they received the positive COVID-19 test result on Saturday, June 13.
This diagnosis marks the 54th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Eleven TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of TTC employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 65.
Please practice physical distancing as much as possible before, during and after your shifts – and stay home if you feel unwell.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113
ATU Local 113 Bus Operator from Arrow Road Tests Positive for COVID-19
Sisters and Brothers,
We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator from Arrow Road Division, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
I spoke with the member who is recovering at home. On behalf of all ATU Local 113 members, I wished them a quick and speedy recovery.
The member’s last shift was on Wednesday, June 3 from 9:00 p.m. to 5:45 a.m. The member was tested on Tuesday, June 9 and received the positive test result on Thursday, June 11.
This diagnosis marks the 53rd ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Eleven TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of TTC employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 64.
Please practice physical distancing as much as possible before, during and after your shifts – and stay home if you feel unwell.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113
ATU International Statement on Systemic Racism and Black Lives Matter Demonstrations
“Black Lives Matter. The ATU stands in solidarity with the nonviolent demonstrations calling for real change in response to the recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and the countless others at the hands of police brutality and racism. We unequivocally oppose racism in all its forms and firmly support the first amendment right to stand up against the racial and economic injustices and inequities that impact communities of color. We must join together to push for reforms and dismantle the systemic cycle of racism and hatred that continues to plague our society.”
– ATU International President John A. Costa
ATU Local 113 Serviceperson Tests Positive for COVID-19
Sisters and Brothers,
We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a serviceperson in Building Services for Plant Maintenance, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
I spoke with the member who is recovering at home. On behalf of all ATU Local 113 members, I wished them a quick and speedy recovery.
The member’s last shift was on Friday, June 5 from 4:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., when they worked at the Operations Training Centre, Wilson Division’s Track and Structure Department and the Signals Department. The member was tested on Sunday, June 7 after a family member was diagnosed with COVID-19 and received the positive test result on Wednesday, June 10.
This diagnosis marks the 52nd ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Eleven TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of TTC employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 63.
Please practice physical distancing as much as possible before, during and after your shifts – and stay home if you feel unwell.
In solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113
REMINDER: Online Information Session for Members – Tuesday, June 16
Sisters and Brothers,
A friendly reminder that ATU Local 113 will be hosting a virtual information session for members through Zoom on Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. Members can register at the link below by providing their full name, email address, badge number and work location.
Please note the cut off time for registration is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9.
After registering, members will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with their secure personalized link. They will be able to participate by clicking on that link at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16.
Please submit your questions at the time of registration.
For security reasons, only computer access will be allowed. There will be no option to phone in to the webinar.
We look forward to speaking with you on June 16.
In Solidarity,
Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113
President Carlos Santos Joins The Next Stop Podcast to Talk Transit During the Coronavirus Pandemic
ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos recently joined The Next Stop Podcast to discuss health and safety on the TTC and other ways the coronavirus pandemic has impacted transit.
Check out the link below to listen.
https://www.thenextstop.ca/2020/06/06/episode-002-very-special-episode-the-effects-of-covid-19-on-transit/