Author: Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received the 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 doing well and recovering at home. We all wish them a full and quick recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Monday, August 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The member was tested on Thursday, August 6 and received a positive test result on Friday, August 7.

This diagnosis marks the 59th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Twelve 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 71.

Please practice physical distancing as much as possible before, during and after your shifts – and stay home if feel unwell.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

Today, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs announced that his government would not match federal transit funding, leaving funding on the table while transit agencies in his province struggle to maintain service and staff levels during the pandemic.

ATU Local 113 stands in solidarity with our Sisters and Brothers in New Brunswick and echoes ATU Canada’s concerns that this decision will harm communities and slow New Brunswick’s economic recovery by leaving thousands of tax paying citizens and transit riders at the curb.

Transit workers, who have worked diligently throughout this pandemic, deserve their elected officials to show up to the table to represent them, and Premier Higgs’ announcement represents a blatant disregard for the sacrifices they have made over the last few months.

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator from Eglinton 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 Friday, July 17 from 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm. They began showing symptoms on Sunday, July 19 and were tested on Monday, July 20. The member received the positive test result on Friday, July 24.

This diagnosis marks the 58^th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Twelve 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 70.

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

Sisters and Brothers,

We would like to thank University-Rosedale MPP Jessica Bell for joining our online information session on July 21. She has been a public transit advocate before and throughout the coronavirus pandemic and continues to champion workers’ rights at Queen’s Park.

The federal government has announced up to $1 billion in transit funding for Ontario, matching dollar for dollar the funding that Premier Ford provides.

MPP Bell has started a petition calling on the Ontario Government and Premier Doug Ford to provide the maximum amount of funding possible, which would allow the TTC to restore pre-pandemic service levels and prevent further layoffs. I urge all ATU Local 113 members to sign the petition at the link below and make it known that emergency transit funding is a key part of Toronto’s economic recovery.

MPP Jessica Bell Petition: ACT NOW: Ford must fully match federal transit funding

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

The CEO’s Report presented to the TTC’s Board on July 14 showed that there were 203 offences against TTC workers from January 1 to March 31, 2020 – which is more than two incidents of assault/abuse a day.

Just this month we’ve seen troubling cases of abuse directed at TTC workers, which adds stress to an already stressful job during the coronavirus pandemic.

Assaults and abuse against TTC workers are completely unacceptable and we need to ensure the TTC’s zero tolerance policy is enforced. It’s outrageous that public transit workers, who fulfill a vital role in Toronto during the pandemic, are subjected to assaults, abuse and threats by some members of the public.

I will address the issue with TTC management to find ways for transit workers to be safe and secure while on the job serving our city.

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

Yesterday, the Ontario Government passed Bill 195, which gives the government the power to extend emergency orders even after the state of emergency has been lifted. The Bill is an infringement on the rights of frontline workers, as it interferes with the collective bargaining agreements of unions in Ontario, including ATU Local 113 and our Sisters and Brothers in healthcare represented by SEIU Healthcare, CUPE, OPSEU and ONA.

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) has launched a campaign to oppose Bill 195’s attack on workers’ rights. I encourage all ATU Local 113 members to contact their MPP through this portal to make it clear that frontline workers deserve the support and respect of their government during the COVID-19 pandemic – especially after our members have spent months putting themselves at risk to keep Toronto moving.

Contact Your MPP to Oppose Bill 195: https://www.powerofmany.ca/opposebill195

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 would like to thank the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) for offering a free one-year membership to transit workers in recognition of the sacrifices that our members have made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Annual Pass will offer unlimited access to the AGO Collection and all special exhibitions for one year. Members will be able to book timed-entry visits to the gallery for free at any time they wish.

ATU Local 113 members can claim their AGO membership until August 16, 2020, by clicking here. Members will have to provide their work ID upon their first visit to the AGO to confirm their identity and to activate their Annual Pass.

Please note that if you’d like to bring children to the AGO, visitors aged 18-25 can sign up for their own free AGO Annual Pass here. Visitors aged 14-17 may sign up for a pass if they wish (using their own valid email address) or may simply enter without a pass. Children 13 and under do not require the Annual Pass and can visit anytime with an adult. More information about children’s AGO admissions can be found here.

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator from Malvern Division, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The member’s last shift was on Tuesday, July 14, and they received the positive test result on Wednesday, July 15.

We wish the member a quick and speedy recovery as they self isolate.

This diagnosis marks the 57^th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Twelve 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 69.

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