Author: 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!

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

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.

The coordinated plot to disaffiliate Local 113 from the ATU has now been exposed. More important, this plot is doomed to fail because of unprecedented support from you, ATU Local 113 members, for your union.

With so much disinformation out there, your Executive Board is setting the record straight with the facts. For this reason, we’ve prepared this new brochure that includes the facts about the Unifor challenge. We encourage all members to read it.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT – THE UNIFOR CHALLENGE

The Executive Board of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 has accepted the resignation of Bob Kinnear as President of the local transit union, effective immediately.

Along with the resignation, the Canadian Labour Congress investigation, initiated by Bob Kinnear, into the relationship of ATU Local 113 and ATU International has ended.

The leadership of the union has been restored under the direction of ATU Local 113’s Executive Board.

“With this distraction behind us, we’re now focused on what matters most – representing Toronto’s hardworking transit workers,” said Kevin Morton, Secretary-Treasurer of ATU Local 113. “More united than ever, we’re moving forward to fight the TTC’s plans for alcohol and drug testing and to prepare for next year’s important collective bargaining.”