Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 President, Marvin Alfred, presented his Year-in-Review statement at the General Meeting on January 15, 2023, which outlined the union’s work accomplished in 2022, and the direction and focus for the year ahead.

ATU Local 113’s Statement on the TTC Budget Meeting
TTC Board votes not to learn key facts about their own budget

At Mayor Tory’s direction, staff proposed massive city-wide service cuts. Changes to service standards will make surface routes more crowded, less dependable, and less frequent. There will be ten-minute waits for subways. Toronto City Councillor, Chris Moise, moved to have city staff report on the impact of the proposed service cuts, as well as for information on skyrocketing legal and consulting fees, but the Board voted not to find out.

“Not wanting to invest in service is one thing, but not wanting to even know what service you’re cutting is just irresponsible,” said ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred. “This budget will drive more riders off the system. And they won’t come back to the TTC until there is safe, dependable, and affordable service. My concern is that Mayor Tory is using safety issues as a smokescreen to impose devastating cuts that will send the TTC into a downward spiral of service cuts and ridership losses,” he continued.

There are real opportunities to save money and the TTC Board won’t look at them.

We want people living on the system to get the help they need, and to not be living on TTC property. The City of Toronto and province have to step up and provide healthcare services and affordable housing to resolve safety issues and violence on public transit.

Mayor John Tory announced that the TTC budget will increase by $53 million. Following his press conference, ATU Local 113 shared a statement that reinforced the need to allocate funds towards protecting transit workers.

Local 113 President, Marvin Alfred, also spoke to media to advocate for our members and their safety.

News Coverage

Online/Print

Toronto Star: TTC fares, budget to increase as transit focuses on security | The Star

CP24: Toronto to increase TTC fares by 10 cents | CP24.com

Global News: Tory proposes $53M funding increase for TTC, fares to increase by 10 cents – Toronto | Globalnews.ca

CTV News: TTC fares to go up by 10 cents in Toronto | CTV News

CBC News: TTC fares going up 10 cents, more special constables coming in Tory’s budget plan | CBC News

Broadcast/Radio

NewsTalk 1010: TTC fares, budget to increase as transit system focuses on security (iheartradio.ca)

Mayor John Tory has provided a statement on his recommendations to the TTC Budget process that will begin next week.

ATU Local 113 President Marvin Alfred provided the following response:

“Local 113 welcomes any investment in operating and maintaining the TTC to improve service and safety for transit riders. If we want people to come back onto the system, we need to rebuild trust. We do this by improving service and keeping fares down. This proposal is a step in that direction.

 

We look forward to seeing details on the service increases. Our members are committed to working to get the best and safest possible service to the people who need it the most. We are here for transit riders and workers.

 

The increase in conflict and other incidents on the TTC is a direct result of the housing crisis combined with a lack of mental health services. The TTC has ended up filling the gaps in our social safety net. Policing alone can’t fix it and Streets to Homes can’t get people into homes that don’t exist or are unaffordable. We need a comprehensive safety and security plan that provides real housing solutions and a better way to respond to people in crisis.”

The last three years have been challenging for various reasons. Our membership has had to face many obstacles. You’ve all continued to service the community of Toronto with a great amount of patience, understanding, and excellence.

We will continue to advocate for our brothers and sisters and use the new year as an opportunity to progress the initiatives and calls to action we’ve put out in support of our membership.

Wishing you and your families a very Happy New Year.

To our members who celebrate, hoping Kwanzaa brings you time to enjoy the blessings of family, community and togetherness.

Habari Gani! Wishing you a blessed Kwanzaa.

To our members who celebrate, wishing you and your families peace, health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. Merry Christmas!

To our Jewish members and all those who celebrate, Happy Hanukkah!

As you light Shabbat and Hanukkah candles on this sixth night, may the light bring you and your families warmth and happiness.

Chag Sameach!

ATU Local 113 volunteers joined the Parkdale Peace Project’s ‘Gift of Giving’ event recently, helping spread Christmas cheer to children in the community.

Today is the second annual Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day. For our members, it’s not just something we talk about and experience once a year. It’s every single day.

Our members continue to be faced with abuse, violence, and harassment while at work.

Public transit has become increasingly unsafe. We will always do our part to advocate for our members and inform the public about where the City of Toronto and the TTC are falling short when it comes to protecting our brothers and sisters.