Author: Stephanie Gomez

Waking Up to a New Reality

by Stephanie Gomez
  • An engaging discussion examining the Black/African Canadian context. In this workshop you will talk about the current day lived experience of Black/African Canadian people.
  • This workshop will ask you to examine your social context. This means your position in society.
  • It will help you discover how to be critical actors in your own story by sharing some ideas around how to respond to oppression and anti-Black racism.

CLAUDETTE HOWELL RUTHERFORD

Claudette Howell Rutherford is a teacher and Department Head of Social Science and Humanities in the YRDSB. She currently sits on the Equity Steering Action Advisory Committee and the Anti-Black Racism Steering Committee. Claudette is a mother of three children attending school in York Region. Claudette previously served as Director of Youth & Education for the Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association and is now Vice President. Claudette is Chair of MACCA’S Annual Black Youth Empowerment Conference now funded by the Government of Canada, and Summer Camp Administrator. Claudette is the Program Director for the Ministry (MCCSS) funded KinnectYouth Mentoring Program. She is a member of ONABSE under the Parent Commission. Claudette continues to represent MACCA as a contributing member of the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities, a collective impact project with 70 other Black community organizations across the province of Ontario.

Unpacking the Past and Decolonizing the Future

by Stephanie Gomez

In this workshop you will learn about the history that has shaped Black/African Canadian people, including Black heroes of then and now.

  • This is a chance to explore Africentricity: What does it mean? Why is it important? What are the positives and some of the challenges it gives us?
  • This workshop will also explore the history of colonialism and the role it plays in the creation of systems and legacies that still impact us today.
  • This workshop will focus on how societal constructs have created inequities that social justice movements strive to dismantle.
  • The outcome of this workshop is to provide tips to living your life as more than just an ally and offer practical ways to build an anti-racist life.

Shernett Martin

Award-winning, experienced Equity & Inclusion Consultant, speaker, workshop developer and facilitator. Awarded multiple awards for work in equity, diversity, education and philanthropy. Incredible speaker and mentor. Committed to community and capacity building. Skilled in governing and leading non-profit organizations. Extensive experience in Corporate Coaching, Conflict Resolution, and Volunteer Management.

Professional Educator with a demonstrated history of working with students from elementary to College. Extensive experience as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (B.A.) with a focus on Race Relations, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and is completing a Masters in Education from York University.

ATU Local 113’s Customer Service Centre Bargaining Unit Secures Interest Arbitration Award

by Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos and the Executive Board would like to offer their utmost thanks for all the hard work that our negotiating team have put into arbitration over the holidays. We also want to thank all the dedicated board members that were involved, as well as the stewards, witnesses, and of course our legal counsel for their input and efforts to help secure our success in negotiations.

The week of December 21, we received an Interest Arbitration Award of 2% annual wage increases each year. The arbitrator rejected the TTC’s argument that the impact of COVID-19 means TTC has an “inability to pay” for normal wage and benefit increases.

The award, which expires in July 31, 2021 along with the CBA, also provides improvements such as:

  • Vacations as set out herein may be taken at such times, in such numbers and under such conditions as set out within the various regulations which may be amended from time to time by the parties hereto. The TTC agrees to post the various vacation regulations in their respective work locations four weeks in advance of every vacation selection.
  • Floaters may be granted in emergency situations, subject to operational needs.
  • Benefits from the Kaplan Award / Blue Book, including:
    • Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and Massage – $2,000 with no co-payment
    • Psychological – increase by $500 with no co-payment
    • Vision – increase by $50
    • Shingles Vaccine
    • Smoking Cessation — five lifetime prescriptions
  • An increase of $125 for long term disability February 1 and a further $125 on July 1.
  • Job postings internally to the CSC Group before posting

Once again, ATU Local 113 offers everyone involved our immense thanks and gratitude.

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

ATU Local 113 offers its deepest condolences to the family of Joe Sottile

by Stephanie Gomez

On behalf of all ATU Local 113 members, President Carlos Santos and the Executive Board sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of Joe Sottile, a fellow TTC employee and member of CUPE Local 2 who we lost to COVID-19.

Brother Joe will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. CUPE Local 2 has organized an assistance fund to support the Sottile family during this difficult time. Please click the link below to donate.

Giuseppi “Joe” Sottile, Family Assistance Fund

Premier Ford, Minister Mulroney and Minister Surma Recognize ATU Local 113 Members’ Hard Work

by Stephanie Gomez

Throughout the pandemic, ATU Local 113 members have shown their hard work and dedication to moving Toronto. In a special video message, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney and Associate Transportation Minister Kinga Surma thank all ATU Local 113 members for your exceptional service to our city.

ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos thanks Premier Ford, Minister Mulroney and Minister Surma for their kind words and holiday wishes to our members. ATU Local 113 is also thankful for the provincial government stepping up to the plate to deliver emergency transit funding in 2020.

Looking ahead to 2021, Toronto’s public transit workers call on the Ford government to deliver necessary funding to keep Toronto moving as we rebuild the economy – and for long-term funding to address operating costs.

The pandemic has shown the vital importance of public services, including public transit. As the Ford government moves forward with extensive transit expansion, including its P3 RFP announcement to operate driverless subway cars and contract out maintenance on the Ontario Line, the province must change course and keep transit public, including all operations and maintenance.

Read: Poor investigative report substitutes instincts for evidence in condemning TTC constables dealing with belligerent drunk

by Stephanie Gomez

There have been 286 reported assaults on TTC workers this year, with many other incidents of abuse and harassment going unreported. The problem of systemic violence on our transit system is a longstanding issue, and one that is made worse by the TTC’s chronic lack of support for workers.

President Carlos Santos and ATU Local 113 are urging the TTC to stop pointing its finger at unionized workers who face abuse every single day and to take action to keep them safe while on the job.

Toronto Star: Poor investigative report substitutes instincts for evidence in condemning TTC constables dealing with belligerent drunk

READ: Toronto’s ride share industry needs a second look says new advocacy group

by Stephanie Gomez

After a successful Ride Fair Coalition launch, President Carlos Santos and ATU Local 113 looks forward to supporting the RideFair initiative. We will work with our transit allies to advocate for better regulation of ride-hailing platforms to ensure the protection of workers, riders and public transit systems.

Toronto.com: Toronto’s ride share industry needs a second look says new advocacy group

ATU Local 113 Encourages Members to Join TTCRiders’ Virtual Rally for Federal Transit Funding

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 will join TTCRiders and other transit allies for a virtual rally on December 1 calling on the federal government to provide operational funding to protect our public transit systems.

“With the pandemic in full force and a second lockdown in place in Toronto, it’s more critical than ever for the federal government to provide permanent transit funding to prevent further service cuts that represent a public health hazard and threaten our economic recovery,” said ATU Local 113 President Carlos Santos.

Click the link below to register for the virtual rally.

Keep Transit Moving – Virtual Rally – December 1, 7:30 p.m.

ATU Local 113 Bus Operator at Birchmount Division 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 Birchmount division, has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

I spoke to the member who is self isolating 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 Sunday, November 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. They received the positive test result on Monday, November 16.

This case marks the 156th ATU Local 113 member who has tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 180 employees at the TTC have tested positive for COVID-19.

Please practice physical distancing as much as possible before, during and after your shifts – and stay home if you feel unwell. If you have been tested and are awaiting your results, please stay home and self-isolate.

In Solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113