Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 Annual Golf Tournament

by Stephanie Gomez

Where: Angus Glen Golf Club, 10080 Kennedy Road, Markham, Ontario (Major Mackenzie Rd. E. & Kennedy Rd.)

When: Sunday, August 20, 2017, 8 am Shotgun Start

Cost: $160 per golfer which includes: golf cart, registration gift, golf, burger, refreshment and dinner

Format: All golfers play their own ball on each hole double par – pick-up and go to the next tee

Par 3 Prizes: Prizes will be awarded for nearest to the pin, men’s and ladies’ longest drive and hitting the green

Proceeds: Proceeds from the putting competition ($5 for three balls) and silent auction will go to Multiple Sclerosis Research through the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital

Register: Registration forms available from Union Office 416-398-5113 OR PAX 4385 OR 4386 or through the link below.

Payment: Cheques should be made payable to ATU Local 113 and forwarded with completed registration forms through departmental mail, or: 812 Wilson Avenue, Downsview, ON M3K 1E5

CASH ONLY AFTER JULY 21, 2017

Register soon as space is limited!

Golf fees must be paid at time of registration!

Do not post-date cheque
Do not send cash in the mail
Do not cancel after July 21, 2017, the refund cut-off date

ONLY ONE NON ATU/113 MEMBER PER FOURSOME – STRICTLY ENFORCED

Registration Form – Angus Glen Golf Tournament

Notice – Angus Glen Golf Tournament

 

 

TTC Agrees to ATU Local 113 Demand for Independent Air Quality Study in Subway System

by Stephanie Gomez

Due to our strong demand for a meeting and immediate action, TTC CEO Andy Byford met with members of ATU Local 113’s Executive Board on May 23, 2017 to discuss pressing health and safety concerns regarding the filthy air members who work underground breathe every day – sometimes up to 12 hours a shift.

Our demands:

  1. After 22 years with no air quality study conducted by TTC Management, it’s time for action – an independent study that is initiated imminently.
  2. Allow subway workers the choice to wear personal protective equipment, such as masks, to protect against the filthy air and particulate.

Our Results:

  1. The TTC has agreed to ATU Local 113’s demand for an independent, third-party study of the subway system’s air quality. Over the next two weeks, ATU Local 113 will have a strong say over the terms of reference for this study. If ATU Local 113 believes the terms fail to serve the interests of our members, the TTC will need to return to the table.
  2. While it’s shameful the TTC still won’t allow workers to protect themselves underground from dirty and dangerous air pollution, ATU Local 113 will continue to fight for workers to have the choice to protect themselves by wearing masks. No matter what the TTC says, it’s unacceptable for subway workers to sneeze and cough out filthy black dust after a shift.

As we work with the TTC over the next two weeks to determine the terms of reference that are fair to members, we’ll continue to keep you updated.

You can watch the full news conference following ATU Local 113’s meeting with TTC management here: http://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=1130715

Watch New Video – ATU Local 113 Demands Action to Protect Subway Workers

by Stephanie Gomez

Enough is enough. For far too long, the TTC has ignored its workforce’s longstanding concerns about subway air pollution. Through this new video that we released today, we want more Torontonians to understand the significant health risks subway workers are exposed to on a daily basis – sometimes up to 12 hours a day. No matter what the TTC says, it’s unacceptable for subway workers to sneeze and cough out filthy black dust after a shift. The TTC needs to acknowledge there is a problem and act now to protect workers, which includes giving workers the choice to wear protective masks.

ATU Local 113 will continue our fight to pressure the TTC to allow workers the choice to protect themselves by wearing masks underground. We are also calling for an independent investigation and we’ll consult our own expert to determine the health and safety implications for our members.

 

ATU Local 113 Annual Pensioners’ Party – May 24, 2017

by Stephanie Gomez

On behalf of the ATU Local 113 Executive Board and members, it is our sincere pleasure to invite all pensioners to our Annual Pensioners’ Party.

From 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Wednesday, May 24, come reconnect over refreshments and a buffet lunch at the North Toronto Memorial Arena (174 Orchard View Boulevard). Win cash prizes!

A $5.00 donation will be requested at the door for the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital for Multiple Sclerosis Research.

Shuttle buses and parking are available at the following locations:

  • Board shuttle bus at Eglinton Station at platform #4 from 11:00 AM.
  • Board shuttle bus at Birchmount Division at 10:30 AM (parking in adjacent plaza).

Please note there will be no return transportation to Birchmount.

We look forward to seeing you on May 24!

Meeting with TTC Management Rescheduled to May 23 to Demand Action on Subway Air Pollution

by Stephanie Gomez

Following a scheduling issue, the meeting with members of ATU Local 113’s Executive Board and TTC management has been rescheduled to May 23, 2017.

At this meeting, ATU Local 113 will continue to demand action to clean the filthy air in Toronto’s subway system. We’ll demand answers to these questions:

  • Why has the TTC failed to conduct an air quality test in 22 years despite repeated requests from our union?
  • When did the TTC first learn about the high concentration of pollutants in the air that subway workers breathe underground – sometimes up to 10 or 12 hours a day?
  • How can the TTC assure subway workers they will not get sick by simply putting in an honest day’s work?
  • Why won’t the TTC allow subway workers to protect themselves from air pollution by wearing masks while working underground?

Toronto’s transit workers deserve a safe and clean workplace – no more delays and excuses from the TTC!

ATU Local 113 Member Recognized for Extraordinary and Heroic Actions

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 Brother John Paul Attard told his story to various news outlets about his extraordinary and heroic efforts on April 26 when he intervened to help a distressed man from harming himself at Dundas Station. The remarkable intervention was caught on video and shared around the world on social media.

What Brother Attard did for this man in need illustrates a reality we know so well: ATU Local 113 members are the face of the TTC and go above and beyond their duties every day to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers.

We thank Brother Attard for his swift actions. Check out some of his interviews below:

Video: TTC station collector speaks about saving man’s life

 JP Attard’s quick thinking helped saved the life of a man in distress

TTC worker discusses helping person in crisis

 ‘I am strong’: TTC hero’s words to man on tracks

 

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Brother John Paul Attard sharing his story with CTV News

 

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Brother John Paul Attard recounting his heroic act

ATU Local 113 to Meet with Andy Byford on May 3 to Demand Action on Subway Air Pollution

by Stephanie Gomez

Members of ATU Local 113’s Executive Board will meet with TTC CEO Andy Byford on May 3 to demand action regarding the union’s longstanding concerns about the potentially harmful air pollution in the subway system.

ATU Local 113’s Executive Board demanded this meeting with Andy Byford following news reports about an independent study by Health Canada, the University of Toronto and McGill University that found high concentrations of fine particular matter, including iron, in the subway system are approximately 10 times the level found outside TTC stations. We’re concerned the kind of particulate matter that was measured in the study, known as PM2.5, has been associated with lung problems. Health Canada guidelines advise that indoor concentrations of PM2.5 “should be kept as low as possible.”

When ATU Local 113 meets with Andy Byford on May 3, we’ll demand answers to the following questions:

  • Why has the TTC failed to conduct an air quality test in 22 years despite repeated requests from our union?
  • When did the TTC first learn about the high concentration of pollutants in the air that subway workers breathe underground – sometimes up to 10 hours a day?
  • How can the TTC assure subway workers they will not get sick by simply putting in an honest day’s work?
  • Why won’t the TTC allow subway workers to protect themselves from air pollution by wearing masks while working underground?

With the release of the recent study, ATU Local 113 is demanding an independent investigation. In the meantime, we will consult with our own expert to determine the health and safety implications for our members.

ATU Local 113 will continue to stand up for our members’ health and safety. It’s our top priority.

Toronto’s Transit Workers Observe National Day of Mourning

by Stephanie Gomez

On April 28, 2017, transit workers across Toronto will honour all workers who have been killed, injured or who have suffered illness due to a work-related incident. Today is also a time to think about the families and friends who have been affected by these tragedies.

Celebrated each year, National Day of Mourning began in Sudbury in 1984. On April 28, 1985, the Canadian Labour Congress officially decorated it to be an annual day of remembrance, which is now solemnly observed in over 80 countries.

On this day, we must also stand united to renew our commitment to safety.  We can prevent worker injuries and deaths before they occur and we must recognize the role we each play in the health and safety of those around us. Every worker has the right to return home safe at the end of each day.

United in Safety, We Work Together.

Kevin Morton
Secretary-Treasurer, ATU Local 113

James Bingham
President, CUPE Local 5089

ATU Local 113 Demands Emergency Meeting with TTC Management

by Stephanie Gomez

Your ATU Local 113 Executive Board has requested an immediate meeting with TTC management to address concerns that workers are exposed to high concentrations of potentially harmful air pollution in the subway system

Along with requesting an immediate meeting with TTC management, we are demanding a full investigation. ATU Local 113 will also consult with our own expert to determine the health and safety implications for our members.

Here is the letter we sent today to TTC CEO Andy Byford.

Meeting Request Letter to TTC

 

 

 

 

TTC Management Must Do More to Protect Workers’ Health From Air Pollution

by Stephanie Gomez

Your ATU Local 113 Executive Board is requesting an immediate meeting with TTC management to address concerns that workers are exposed to high concentrations of potentially harmful air pollution in the subway system.

Health Canada, the University of Toronto and McGill University published an independent study on April 25, 2017 that found high concentrations of fine particular matter, including iron, in the subway system are approximately 10 times the level found outside TTC stations. The results from Toronto’s subway system are similar to an average day in Beijing, the Chinese capital that struggles with extraordinarily high levels of air pollution.

Over the years, ATU Local 113 has repeatedly requested air quality testing on the subway system. However, time and time again, TTC management has resisted these requests.

Transit workers deserve better and we want answers from TTC management. Along with requesting an immediate meeting with TTC management, we are demanding a full investigation. ATU Local 113 will also consult with our own expert to determine the health and safety implications for our members.

With the publication of the study, we know researchers measured the air quality on subway platforms and inside trains over several weeks between 2010 and 2013. This begs the question – what did the TTC know? When did the TTC know it? What has the TTC done to protect workers over the years? And, why has the TTC failed to conduct its own testing?

At a time when TTC management falsely claims that random drug and alcohol testing will improve safety, these questions make you wonder whether Andy Byford and his executive team are serious about dealing with real health and safety issues.