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

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

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

Online Information Session for Members: Tuesday, June 16

Sisters and Brothers,

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 Update on June Layoffs

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The second round of layoffs scheduled for June have been paused pending the voluntary lay-off and a ridership review. Further updates to follow.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 Bus Operator from Arrow Road Division 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. We all wish them a full and quick recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Wednesday, May 27 from approximately 9:00 p.m. to 5:45 a.m. The member was tested on Friday, May 29 and received the positive test result on Saturday, May 30.

This diagnosis marks the 47th 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 57.

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

TTC Temporary Lay-Off Substitution Initiative: Important Details

ATU Local 113 would like to share important information with members about the TTC’s Temporary Lay-Off Substitution (TLOS) initiative.

The initiative is a program to reduce the impact of planned lay-offs by allowing members to take a temporary lay-off. This initiative is open to all active, permanent, full-time employees at the TTC subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria.

Each member who chooses to participate in the temporary lay-off initiative means one less member being laid off. With that said, ATU Local 113 is not encouraging nor discouraging members from participating. Our union is large with a diversity of needs and personal circumstances. A member may have their own reasons as to why they would want to participate in the program or not.

ATU Local 113 will respect and support each member’s own decision.

While participating in the initiative, members will need to pay union dues to keep seniority. Participating in the initiative will have pension implications. We recommend you call the pension office to see how participation might impact you.

Please see below for the TTC’s full program guide.

– President Carlos Santos

Temporary-Lay-Off-Substitution-Initiative_Program-Guide-for-Employees

ATU Local 113 Bus Operator from Eglinton Division Tests Positive for COVID-19

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. We all wish them a full and quick recovery.

The member’s last shift was on Friday, May 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The member received the positive test result on Saturday, May 30.

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

This diagnosis marks the 46th 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 56.

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

TTC hiring 100 Unionized COVID-19 Recovery Ambassadors Following Pressure from President Carlos Santos

Sisters and Brothers,

I have an important update to share about a recent job hiring the TTC reversed. As many of you know, the TTC posted a notice this week announcing that they were hiring 100 supervisors.

I was absolutely outraged that the TTC planned to hire 100 non-unionized supervisors while the TTC is laying off a 1,000 of our dedicated and hard-working members who have been serving Toronto through this pandemic.

After strong and consistent pressure from myself and ATU Local 113’s executive board, the TTC has reversed this hiring of supervisors and will now be hiring 100 unionized temporary COVID-19 Recovery Ambassadors.

Members should know that I fully support this decision by TTC management to walk back their original hiring plan. I will never stop fighting to protect our members’ jobs, health and safety. ATU Local 113 will also continue its fight to get the proper government funding to keep public transit moving during the pandemic and throughout our economic recovery.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Guide to CERB/EI for Members

On April 23, 2020, the TTC announced temporary layoffs of TTC employees due to sharply reduced ridership and revenue resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic. ATU Local 113 members have begun receiving layoff notices, the first round of which came into effect on Sunday, May 24.

ATU Local 113 members are justly concerned about their income during the layoff period. The following guide will explain what government benefits are available, how to apply, how much they will pay and how long they will last.

WHAT GOVERNMENT BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE TO LAID OFF EMPLOYEES?

There is a new Federal benefit for workers affected by COVID 19. On March 25, the Government of Canada announced the Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). CERB provides temporary income support to workers whose income has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

In order to be eligible, a worker must have lost their income due to COVID-19, or can not earn an income because they are sick or quarantined. Also eligible are workers who are have recently exhausted their Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, those caring for someone with COVID-19, or those who have had to stop working in order to care for children who are either sick, or home from school and daycare.

There are only a few other qualifications:

  • You must have earned a total income from employment or self-employment of at least $5,000 for 2019 or in the 12-month period preceding the day on which you make an application.
  • You may not earn more than $1,000 for a period of at least 14 consecutive days within the initial four-week period of your claim or $1000 in total during the four week period covered by each subsequent claim.
  • You must not have quit your job voluntarily (though voluntary layoffs or furloughs may qualify).

HOW SHOULD I APPLY?

You can apply for CERB online either through Service Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency.

To begin the application process, you will be asked to answer a few simple questions. The answers you provide will help direct you to the service option that best fits your situation.

If you cannot apply online, you can apply by phone at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

Applications are for a specific four-week eligibility period. If your situation continues, you can re-apply for another 4-week period, up to a maximum of 4 periods (or 16 weeks in total).

Eligibility period Start and end date
1 March 15, 2020 to April 11, 2020
2 April 12, 2020 to May 9, 2020
3 May 10, 2020 to June 6, 2020
4 June 7, 2020 to July 4, 2020
5 July 5, 2020 to August 1, 2020
6 August 2, 2020 to August 29, 2020
7 August 30, 2020 to September 26, 2020

 

Whether you apply online or by phone, the CRA has set up specific days when you can apply:

 

For the May 10 to June 6 eligibility period:

If you were born in the month of Apply for CERB on Your first day to apply
January, February or March Mondays May 11
April, May, or June Tuesdays May 12
July, August, or September Wednesdays May 13
October, November, or December Thursdays May 14
Any month Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Not applicable
 

For the June 7 to July 4 eligibility period:

If you were born in the month of Apply for CERB on Your first day to apply
January, February or March Mondays June 8
April, May, or June Tuesdays June 9
July, August, or September Wednesdays June 10
October, November, or December Thursdays June 11
Any month Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

 

HOW MUCH WILL I RECEIVE?

The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks. No tax will be deducted at source, but the money will be taxable when you submit your return for 2020.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE PAYMENT?

There is no waiting period so you should receive your Benefit within 10 days of applying.

Payments will be made through direct deposit or by cheque; however direct deposit is faster.

Your payments will be retroactive to the date you became eligible.

SHOULD I APPLY FOR EI or CERB?

The Canadian government has designed the CERB to work with EI, though you cannot receive them both at the same time.

As soon as you stop work, you should apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Those who have been laid off since March 15 can no longer apply for EI, though you can receive EI benefits once the CERB program ends.

If you became eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits prior to March 15th, you will continue to receive these benefits until the end of your benefit period. You cannot switch to CERB.

If you became eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits on March 15, 2020 or later, your Employment Insurance claim will be automatically processed through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

For other Employment Insurance benefits, including maternity, parental, and caregiving, you should continue to apply as you normally would.

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 the Danforth Division, 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 Monday, May 25 from 5:45 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. The member received the positive test result on Thursday, May 28.

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

This diagnosis marks the 45th 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 55.

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