Author: Stephanie Gomez

Sisters and Brothers,

Today, we learned that a TTC Wheel-Trans operator tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The member’s last day at work was on March 16. The member was first symptomatic on March 19 and has been in self-isolation since.

The member has thankfully recovered and is now asymptomatic. He has received clearance from Toronto Public Health to return to work. All ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers welcome this positive news.

Please stay home if you feel unwell. As a reminder, medical notes for sick leave have been suspended until further notice.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

A huge thank you to our maintenance members for producing these barriers that help keep our operators safe.

Thanks to all members from the upholstery section at Harvey Shop for producing the barriers and our general body repair workers for installing them. Our maintenance teams’ expertise is second to none!

The barriers are yet another reminder how important it is to keep TTC maintenance work – and all public transit – in house with ATU Local 113’s skilled members.

Maintenance is an important piece of the public transit puzzle, and without them, the TTC cannot operate.  ATU Local 113 has a vast talented workforce who can practically make anything.  As one of the biggest transit agency agencies in North America we need to stay self-sufficient with everything we do!

A special shout out to our members who raised concerns about this issue, our co-chairs, our Joint Health and Safety Committee members, our shop stewards, board members and the following people:

Scott Gordon
ABA Maintenance

Micheal Judd
Executive Board Member
Hillcrest Complex

Luigi Garda
Shop Steward
Harvey Shop, South Side

Sandro Buccini
Shop Steward
Harvey Shop, North Side

Andrew Falotico
ATU Local 113 Health and Safety Representative

Read the full CP24 story here: TTC rolling out new barriers on buses to protect operators

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

We learned that a TTC bus operator out of Mount Dennis tested positive today for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The member’s last day at work was on Tuesday, March 31 when he drove the 29 Dufferin Bus from 4:43am to 1:04pm.

We spoke with the member today who is recovering at home and doing well. He began self isolating as soon as he started feeling symptoms to ensure the safety of his colleagues. After continuing to feel unwell while on sick leave, he voluntarily took the coronavirus test. All ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers wish the member a speedy recovery while he continues self-isolating.

A joint investigation with Toronto Public Health and the TTC determined there are no close contacts that require self-isolation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your shop steward or board member.

This case is another good reminder to stay home if you feel unwell. Medical notes for sick leave have been suspended until further notice.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

We learned that a TTC streetcar operator out of Leslie Barns tested positive today for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We spoke with the member today who is recovering at home and doing well. The member’s last day at work was on Wednesday, April 1.

I join all ATU Local 113 members in wishing the member a full recovery. Our thoughts also continue to be with all those affected by the coronavirus.

Given that the positive test came today, ATU Local 113 is working with the TTC and Toronto Public Health on next steps to protect workers’ health.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your shop steward or board member.

As I’ve said before, please stay home if you feel unwell. Medical notes for sick leave have been suspended into further notice.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Given the current coronavirus pandemic, ATU Local 113 members are not required to provide medical notes to the TTC for sick days until further notice.

ATU Local 113 will update members as more information becomes available.

Sisters and Brothers,

To protect your health and help limit community spread of the coronavirus, ATU Local 113 is advising TTC bus operators to limit the number of passengers to 10 riders on a regular bus and 15 riders on an articulated bus.

ATU Local 113’s recommendation comes after ongoing overcrowding on some TTC bus routes, which goes against the guidelines coming from public health officials and political leaders.

We apologize for any inconvenience to the public. However, limiting the number of passengers on TTC buses will help ensure riders are practicing physical distancing by staying two metres away from each other. In addition to these pandemic limits, TTC bus operators should continue with rear-door boarding. You also have the option to wear face masks on the job.

While the TTC has added buses to some busy routes, we think TTC management should be doing more to enforce physical distancing on the TTC. For this reason, we are asking members to use their discretion by enforcing these passenger limits during the pandemic.

ATU Local 113’s advisory for passenger limits on TTC buses comes after Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned:

“The hard truth is right now, today, there is very little separating what we will face here in Ontario from the devastation we’ve seen in Italy and Spain – thousands of lives are at stake. These next two weeks will be absolutely critical because we know a surge is coming.”

ATU Local 113 takes the Premier’s warning seriously and is doing what we can to protect members and the public.

It is important to know public transit is NOT exempt from physical distancing regulations. If you encounter any issues enforcing physical distancing on the job, ATU Local 113 will back you 100%. Please contact your shop steward or board member.

With the coronavirus pandemic, we are providing a critical public service. We’re getting health care workers to hospitals, clerks to grocery stores and first responders to stations. We’re also on the frontlines. There is no doubt, public transit workers are among the heroes of this crisis. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

We received more unfortunate news today that a TTC Subway collector from the Danforth Division has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). I spoke with him this evening and he’s recovering at home. Like with the five other members dealing with the virus, we wish him a full recovery and we’ll provide any needed support.

Here is what we know as of March 31 at 9:30 p.m.:

• TTC Subway fare collector from Danforth Division.
• He last worked on Thursday, March 19 and hasn’t been back to work since.
• On March 19, he closed Jane Station at 2:20 a.m. and wore a face mask on the TTC Bloor night bus coming back to Greenwood.
• He was tested on Monday, March 30 and received the positive diagnosis on the evening of Tuesday, March 31.
• At this time, it’s unknown how he contracted the coronavirus – no recent travel or known contact with anyone who has travelled.

As with other confirmed cases, ATU Local 113 is working with the TTC and Toronto Public Health to determine next steps to protect your health.

As you’ve heard before, please stay home if you feel unwell. ATU Local 113 is here to support you. Please contact your shop steward or board member if you have any questions about this case, or concerns about workplace health and safety.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Sisters and Brothers,

We received unfortunate news today from one of our ATU Local 113 members, a TTC bus operator from the Mount Dennis garage. Our member, who spoke today with his shop steward and board member, is in the hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Our thoughts are with the member and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.

The member hasn’t been on the job since Saturday, March 14.

The case is still under investigation. We’ll continue our work to ensure the TTC and Toronto Public Health respond appropriately to protect members at Mount Dennis and across the system. We’ll keep you updated.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact your shop steward or board member.

As we continue to serve Toronto during this challenging time, please stay home if you feel unwell. Medical notes are not required up to and including Saturday, April 4 (with further extensions pending).

Again, our thoughts are with our member and we’re all hoping to see him healthy again soon.

In solidarity,

Carlos Santos
President, ATU Local 113

Given the current coronavirus pandemic, ATU Local 113 members are not required to provide medical notes to the TTC for sick days up to and including Saturday, April 4, 2020.

ATU Local 113 will provide an update later this week on potential further extensions.

ATU Local 113 has learned on March 27 that a Wheel-Trans operator has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) due to international travel. ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers wish the member a full and speedy recovery.

Here is what we know as of now:

• The Wheel-Trans operator, who works at the Lakeshore Wheel-Trans division, has not worked a shift since March 12 and has been in self isolation since then.
• The operator received the positive test for COVID-19 on March 21.

Toronto Public Health has assured ATU Local 113 that since the member has not been at work for over two weeks, the risk to other members remains low; however, ATU Local 113 wanted to notify them of as soon as possible. Our union continues to work with the TTC and Toronto Public Health on this case.

As we provide a critical service for our city during this pandemic, including for health care workers, ATU Local 113 continues to push the TTC and Toronto Public Health to do whatever is necessary to ensure a safe and healthy environment for TTC workers and riders. ATU Local 113 is encouraging members to practice social distancing as much as possible before, during and after their shifts.

If you feel unwell, please stay home. And if you have any questions or safety concerns, please speak with your shop steward or ATU Local 113 board member.