Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 General Body Repairman at Harvey Shop Tests Positive for COVID-19

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a general body repairman at Harvey Shop, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We wish them a quick and full recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Thursday, September 17 and received a positive test result on Wednesday, September 23.

This case marks the 69th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Thirteen TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases at the TTC to 82.

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 at Mount Dennis Tests Positive for COVID-19

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator at Mount Dennis 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, we wish them a quick and full recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Wednesday, September 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The member received a positive test result on Saturday, September 19.

This case marks the 68th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Thirteen TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases at the TTC to 81.

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 at Arrow Road Tests Positive for COVID-19

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator at Arrow Road Division, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We wish them a quick and full recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Thursday, September 10. The member was tested on Wednesday, September 16 and received a positive test result on Thursday, September 17.

This case marks the 67th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Thirteen TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases at the TTC to 80.

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 at Queensway Tests Positive for COVID-19

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator at 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, we wish them a quick and full recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Saturday, September 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 12:25 a.m. The member was tested on Tuesday, September 15 and received a positive test result on Wednesday, September 16.

This case marks the 66th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Thirteen TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases at the TTC to 79.

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 on the TTC’s New Face Mask Policy

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

ATU Local 113 agrees wearing masks is important to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Workers should always wear masks while on TTC property, such as travelling between shifts or getting to and from work, however there are some exceptions.

It’s important for the TTC to understand some workers have medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks. If a member has such a condition that prevents mask wearing, ATU Local 113 will support them.

With operators working behind protective barriers or in cabs posing no risk to public health, it is unreasonable for the TTC to force them to wear masks while operating TTC subways, streetcars, buses and Wheel-Trans vehicles. From a safety standpoint, wearing face coverings can be a distraction for some operators to safely operate vehicles. Our union will support operators that do not want to wear a mask while operating vehicles, but we expect them to wear a mask on TTC property at all other times.

Maintenance members should be wearing a mask if they are unable to practise safe physical distancing during their shifts. Masks should be optional for maintenance members if it’s possible to keep a two-metre distance on shop floors. If a member isn’t wearing a mask during their shifts but is practicing safe physical distancing, the union will support them. Like operators, we expect maintenance members to always wear a mask on TTC property if they do not have a medical condition, are unable to practice physical distancing during their shifts or getting to and from work.

The policy change comes into effect on Thursday, September 17.

ATU Local 113 will always support members if they are following the above guidelines.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 Bus Operator at Mount Dennis Tests Positive for COVID-19

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator at Mount Dennis 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, we wish them a quick and full recovery.

The member last worked on Tuesday, September 15, and received the positive test result on Wednesday, September 16.

This case marks the 65th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Thirteen TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases at the TTC to 78.

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 asks riders to post photos of their crowded transit routes with #RestoreServiceTTC

by Stephanie Gomez

To highlight the TTC’s persistent overcrowding issues, ATU Local 113 is asking riders to post photos of their crowded transit routes with the hashtag #RestoreServiceTTC. You can also direct message photos of crowded vehicles to our Facebook page.

Let the TTC know that the current level of service is unacceptable and is putting Torontonians at risk as students head back to school. We know that the way to address this is by reinstating full service.

ATU Local 113’s social media channels will be bringing attention to overcrowding over the coming days and weeks.

“Good public transit is good public health. Let’s address both by reinstating full service” said President Carlos Santos.

ATU Local 113 Bus Operator at Arrow Road Tests Positive for COVID-19

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a bus operator at 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, we wish them a quick and full recovery.

The member last worked on Wednesday, September 9 and received the positive test result on Monday, September 14.

This case marks the 64th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Thirteen TTC employees who are not ATU Local 113 members have also tested positive, bringing the total number of confirmed cases at the TTC to 77.

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 and Allies Rally to Restore Full Service on TTC

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113, TTCriders and other allies held a rally today outside Scarborough—Rouge Park MPP Vijay Thanigasalam’s office to draw attention to overcrowding on the TTC ahead of students’ return to school this week.

“We’re continuing our calls for the TTC to restore full service and bring back all our laid off workers immediately. The Ontario government must provide transit with permanent funding to prevent overcrowding in the long term.” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos.

Thank you to all that came out and supported today!

CBC News: Protesters create ‘COVID-19 East’ bus to focus attention on TTC crowding

Globe and Mail: For the sake of our cities, we can’t let the pandemic infect the future of public transit

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 is encouraging all Torontonians to read a column by The Globe and Mail’s Editorial Board that reminds readers that the pandemic isn’t permanent and cuts to transit will have far-reaching effects in the future as riders return.

Despite the serious challenges we face this fall, the Globe correctly points out that Canada’s cities, including Toronto, need long-term plans for mass transit and improved service to prevent congestion and support sustainable growth beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

“Long-term planning and funding will allow the TTC to operate and maintain a world-class system that will prevent congestion, reduce emissions and accommodate a growing population” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos

READ: For the sake of our cities, we can’t let the pandemic infect the future of public transit