TTC Walks Away from the Negotiation Table with Toronto’s Transit Union

On April 17, 2018 at 4:30 PM, the TTC ended contract negotiations with ATU Local 113 – walking away from the bargaining table to sit and wait for the Ontario Ministry of Labour to appoint a conciliator. This follows ATU Local 113 submitting a proposal for consideration.

Toronto’s transit workers are disappointed by the TTC’s decision to abandon negotiations.

ATU Local 113, which represents nearly 11,000 public transit workers, is committed to negotiating a fair contract for workers that delivers safe and reliable public transit to Torontonians.  The union will continue its fight to protect pensions and benefits, while saving Toronto’s public transit system from privatization, which cost taxpayers more money in the end.

Toronto’s transit union invites the TTC to return to negotiations and bargain in good faith.

Torontonians ‘Sardine’ into Overcrowded Transit to Rally for a Fairly Funded System

On March 27, despite rainy weather, over 100 transit users came together in support of TTCrider’s Sardine Ride and Rally. ATU Canada and Local 113 Sisters and Brothers ‘sardined’ into overcrowded transit to take the message directly to the City of Toronto and Ontario governments that Torontonians deserve a fairly funded transit system. Armed with signs and sardine costumes, the Ride and Rally received media coverage from CityNews and CTV News.

A day after the ride, Kathleen Wynne and her Liberal government released the 2018 Ontario Budget, which included a break on GO Transit fares, but in an interview with CityNews, the TTCriders say the budget still fails to make the TTC more reliable and affordable.

ATU Local 113 will always stand in solidarity with those who fight for a fairly funded transit system that works for everyone. Learn more about TTCriders and their advocacy initiatives here.

Uploading TTC Subway lines a backdoor scheme to privatize public transit jobs

In the 2018 Ontario Budget, Premier Kathleen Wynne revealed the Liberals’ destructive plan to take over TTC Subway lines from the City of Toronto.

If this scheme sounds familiar, it is because Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives are also calling for the same, which is nothing more than a backdoor plan for the province and Metrolinx to privatize the cornerstone of Toronto’s public transit system.

“Across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Metrolinx is pushing privatization by making it impossible for public transit systems to operate and maintain new transit,” said Frank Grimaldi, President, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113. “Metrolinx taking over Toronto’s subway lines is a recipe for disaster that could lead to privatization, higher fares and even service cuts.”

Along with privatization, the Liberal and Conservative scheme to take away Toronto’s subway lines from the TTC raises serious issues of accountability and governance, while starving our public transit system of revenue.

“A divided transit system is bad news for workers and riders,” said Frank Grimaldi. “Why would the people of Toronto want to have a weaker voice when it comes to transit in our city? There is still time for transit workers to unite and tell Kathleen Wynne and Doug Ford that our subway system is not for sale.”

The stakes are high for transit workers. Make sure you follow – and get involved – in this upcoming provincial election. Local 113 will be very active in getting our message across. We have a Committee going around the property called “Keep Transit Public”.

Get involved and ensure the candidates know how you feel. We need a fully funded, strong and stable public transit system. That system is the TTC. One TTC. One ATU.

ATU Local 113 Stands in Solidarity with CUPE 3903

ATU Local 113 will always show solidarity to our Sisters and Brothers when they stand up for fair wages, benefits and improved working conditions.

That is why ATU Local 113 supports The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903 (CUPE 3903), the union that represents contract faculty, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, and part-time librarians and archivists at York University.

CUPE Local 3903 is on strike to increase job security for contract faculty, protect funding for Teaching Assistants, reverse the cut of over 800 jobs and increase equity and accessibility in the workplace.

We must show strength in numbers by standing strong against precarious work and fighting for the hardworking Ontarians who make our province a better place.For more information about what CUPE 3903 is fighting for, please visit: https://3903.cupe.ca/

Members Celebrate Black History Month – and Learn More about Each Other

Food ready to serve at Mount Dennis, prepared by Paul Wong and his mother
Food ready to serve at Mount Dennis, prepared by Paul Wong and his mother

At the culmination of Black History Month in February, the Rec Committee at Mount Dennis held a celebration for members. Through song, dance, poetry and food, attendees learned about the rich history of African and Caribbean people in Canada. This celebration was the first of its kind at Mount Dennis, coming to life thanks to Paul Wong’s initiative and the welcoming of his ideas by the Rec Committee and its President Daniel Campos.

“We have a lot of people who come from this background and we had never hosted an event before, said Daniel Campos. “We wanted to try something different and we are all having a good time.”

Paul Wong, a bus operator and event organizer, adds, “I’ve always had an interest in helping to remember black history. It is easily forgotten and not always recognized. I want us to celebrate the history, both good and bad, so members can see what we have been through and how far we’ve come.”

Black Canadian history displayed in Mount Dennis – a first time celebration
Black Canadian history displayed in Mount Dennis – a first time celebration

Part of the celebrations included a display of Black Canadian history. This timeline outline key events dating centuries back.

Look out for this event next year!

Take Action Now to Secure Safe Buses

From November 27 to December 1, 2017, Local ATU Presidents and representatives from across Canada met in Ottawa as part of Days of Action on Parliament Hill.

During visits, Sisters and Brothers met with Members of the Federal Government and presented information on the various safety concerns regarding the design of the Nova Bus.  Issues raised included improvements needed to ensure safe and proper ergonomic work stations for bus operators as well as issues with the blind spots that have caused past critical injuries and fatalities to the public.

The Honorable Member of Parliament Judy A. Sgro took the opportunity to reach out to Councillor Colle, Mayor John Tory, and Minster Del Duca on behalf of the Amalgamated Transit Union to address Transit operators concerns.

Founded in 1892, the Amalgamated Transit Union has been representing transit workers for the past 125 years. Currently, the ATU represents over 190,000 transit workers in North America with over 32,000 workers from coast to coast here in Canada. The Amalgamated Transit Union has initiated a Petition to the House of Commons to address Transit Operators safety concerns.

It is crucial that we gain support from the government to address these serious safety issues. Transit Operators are entitled to work in a safe environment.

Take action now to secure safe buses by signing Petition E-1437 (Public Transit) before May 9th:

https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1437

Please see the details of the Petition E-1437 (Public Transit) below:

  • Transit buses used in North America are decades behind global design and safety standards, endangering the health, safety, and lives of operators, riders, and pedestrians;
  • Most transit buses on the road in North America have unsafe window pillar designs and hazardously-placed mirrors, which create blind spots that have resulted in collisions in which pedestrians and others have been killed or injured;
  • Assaults on operators often escalate to serious injury or death due to poorly-secured or unsecured workstations;
  • Poor bus suspension and seating lead to back pain and debilitating conditions for operators as well as compromise passenger comfort; and
  • Transit worker is already classified as the least healthy job due to primitive controls including steering, pedals and other controls cause extreme rates of occupational injury and disability.

We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to require that transit agencies and manufacturers make our buses safe for operators and passengers by adopting well-tested solutions, including:

  1. Protective barriers that can be quickly raised or lowered by an operator, that do not obscure the operator’s view, and that do not block ventilation from the driver’s workstation;
  2. Unobstructed views for bus operators that include open windshields, minimal A-pillars, and mirrors that don’t obscure an operator’s vision;
  3. Workstations that include ergonomic seating, intelligent steering, adjustable pedals, and a dashboard and steering wheel that both telescope and tilt; and
  4. Workstations that are free of pests.

Join Us at the International Women’s Day March

The Women’s Committee invites our Brothers and Sisters and their families to show a force of labour at this year’s International Women’s Day march.

International Women’s Day is a day to recognize women’s achievements and acknowledge the challenges they continue to face in the quest for gender equality. We’ll not rest until women have equal opportunity to men.

Find the details here:

Celebrate Black History Month

Join your Sisters and Brothers to celebrate the end of Black History Month.

On Wednesday, February 28th we’ll meet at the Drivers Area of Mount Dennis Division — starting at 10 am — for food , music, poem readings and more.

If you would like to share you favourite dish with us your contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Contact Daniel Campos 647-893-2955 or Paul Wong 416-712-0915.

Please find the official poster below: