Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU International Statement on Systemic Racism and Black Lives Matter Demonstrations

by Stephanie Gomez

“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

by Stephanie Gomez

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

by Stephanie Gomez

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.

Zoom Registration Link

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

ATU Local 113 Encouraging Members to Sign ATU Canada Federal Funding Petition

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 has helped collect 2,100 signatures for ATU Canada’s Federal Funding Petition since it launched on May 19.

It’s time to step up our commitment to reach more transit workers and hit our goal of 15,000 petition signatures.

Thanks to the pressure of ATU Local 113 members, the federal government announced accelerated gas tax funding to our cities. This $2.2 billion in gas tax transfer is not new money, it’s money municipalities were scheduled to receive later in the year. We need emergency government funding to be dedicated to transit operations – so we must keep up the pressure!

ATU Local 113 is encouraging all members to take action by signing the below petition to the federal government calling for emergency transit funding. Please share the petition with your co-workers and on social media to get as many signatures as possible.

ATU Canada Petition: Transit Workers Demand Federal Lawmakers Take Action

Together we fight. Together we win!

Carlos Santos,
ATU Local 113 President

ATU Local 113 Thanks Andrea Horwath for Her Leadership at Queens Park

by Stephanie Gomez

As ATU Local 113 continues to call for federal and provincial funding to keep transit moving, President Carlos Santos would like to thank Andrea Horwath for echoing our concerns at Queen’s Park.

As noted in her letter, public transit has been critical in ensuring essential frontline workers get where they need to go throughout this pandemic and will be key to our province’s economic recovery in the months ahead.

Letter from Andrea Horwath (June 5, 2020)

Two ATU Local 113 Bus Operators from Mount Dennis Test Positive for COVID-19

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that two ATU Local 113 members, bus operators from Mount Dennis, have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The members’ last shifts were on Tuesday, June 2. All ATU Local 113 members wish them a full and quick recovery.

These diagnoses mark the 50th and 51st ATU Local 113 members who have tested positive for COVID-19. Ten 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 61.

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

ATU Local 113 Bus Operator from 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 from Mount Dennis, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

I spoke with the member who is recovering at home. We all wish them a full and quick recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Sunday, May 31 from 5:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The member was tested on Monday, June 1 and received the positive test result on Wednesday, June 3.

Please contact your shop steward or board member for more information.

This diagnosis marks the 49th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Ten 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 59.

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

ATU Local 113 Subway Operator from Danforth Division Tests Positive for COVID-19

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today that an ATU Local 113 member, a subway operator from the Danforth Division who drives the SRT out of McCowan Yard, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

I spoke with the member who is recovering at home. We all wish them a full and quick recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Tuesday, May 26 from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The member was tested on Sunday, May 31 and received the positive test result on Wednesday, June 3.

This diagnosis marks the 48th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Ten 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 58.

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

ATU Local 113 Statement on Anti-Black Racism in North America

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

ATU Local 113 is deeply saddened by the tragic death of George Floyd and stands by all those fighting to end anti-Black racism across North America, including here in Toronto.

George Floyd’s death is the latest in a litany of sad reminders of the toxic effect of racism. There is much work to do to eliminate anti-Black racism – and all racism in our society.

As Canadians, we must recognize we’re not immune to the same systemic racism and injustice that plagues other countries. Today, too many people in our community are hurting because of racism. It needs to end.

We cannot stand idly by and allow a system that treats a significant number of our fellow citizens differently to continue to operate. Now is the time to act.

Learn. Do what you must to rid the world of hate.

Know that Canada’s labour movement is with you on this journey. ATU Local 113 is dedicated to fostering a culture of support, equality and inclusion and has a long and proud history of fighting for and protecting minority communities. Today and always, we stand by those confronting injustice, racism and hatred head on.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos,
ATU Local 113 President