Author: Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 in the Community: Christopher Jones

by Stephanie Gomez

A highlight of summer in Toronto is the diverse community events across the city. Accessible by streetcars, subways, wheel-trans and buses, they offer families the opportunity to reconnect with those closest to them – all while having fun! Christopher Jones, an Operator at Malvern Division, is dedicated to finding opportunities to help others and community events became one of his ways to offer a lending hand. With the support of ATU Local 113 and its Sisters and Brothers, Christopher has brought bouncy castles, floats and other fun and important additions to events across the city – for the benefit of all.

“I believe that a community is made up of people getting involved. You do not have to be a part of the community to help. I give back on behalf of ATU 113 to the community we serve,” Chris explains.

Christopher Jones in-front of ATU Local 113’s bouncy castle at Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza

And a busy summer getting involved he’s had. Already, he has supported the Pinoy Fiesta & Trade Show and Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza. Next is the Toronto Caribbean Carnival where he’ll lead a float of Sisters and Brothers.

Supporting community events is just part of what Christopher does in his spare time. He’s served on ATU Local 113’s Rec Committee and United Way team, while currently involved with the Willowdale Rotary Association and Knights of Rizal.

Thank you to Christopher for all your hard work!

#TTCpride: ATU Local 113 Marches in Rainbows to Celebrate Achievements, Continue Fight for Equality

by Stephanie Gomez

Building on longstanding traditions, ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers marched proudly in Toronto’s 38th annual Pride Parade. While June is designated Pride month, the Local will always stands in solidarity in the fight for equal rights. The Parade offers the opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ+ community achievements while recommitting to their full inclusion in society – under the law and in our culture.

Group photo at Rosedale Valley Road in front of the fabulous TTC Pride bus.

Despite a heavy downpour, ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers marched alongside the TTC Pride bus: dancing, waving flags and laughing. The parade route on Yonge Street from Church and Bloor to Yonge and Dundas Square was a sea of colour representing a message of unity and peace.

Grace Udoh dances excitedly through the streets of Toronto while wearing her custom ATU Local 113 rainbow t-shirt.

Matthew Ennamorato and Richard Freitas wave the ATU Local 113 flag high in the sky on Bloor Street.

ATU Local 113 marches in rainbows to celebrate achievements continue fight for equality image 4

Matthew Ennamorato, Emily Daigle, Richard Freitas, Kathleen Zamora, Grace Udoh, Trey Zamora and Deborah Littman amongst other ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers.

Thank you to all ATU Local 113 Sisters and Brothers who participated in the Parade. To get your hands on the rainbow ATU Local 113 t-shirt or to be notified about details for the march next year, please contact dlittman@atu113.net.

 

 

Watch: Friends Reconnect, Reminisce and Share why ATU Local 113 is More Important than Ever at the 2018 Pensioners’ Party

by Stephanie Gomez

In May, hundreds of Sisters and Brothers gathered for the annual ATU Local 113 Pensioners’ Party. This highly anticipated gathering provided ATU Local 113 pensioners the opportunity to reconnect with their old friends and reminisce on all the accomplishments they achieved when they stood together as part of ATU Local 113.

Amidst great food, music and conversation, ATU Local 113 Pensioners and current Executive Board members shared tips and insights for current union members. Hear it directly from attendees of the 2018 Pensioners’ Party – and make sure to join us next year:

It’s Clear: the TTC Doesn’t Understand the Seriousness of Animal Contaminants in Oral Swabs

by Stephanie Gomez

After almost a month of stalling, the TTC confirmed that it forced our Sisters and Brothers to consume animal products despite religious and/or ethical objections. It is now time for the TTC to understand the seriousness of this issue – one created by the Commission alone – by acting forthright about what accommodation will look like and how they’ll address the thousands who have already taken the test.

ATU Local 113 asks the TTC a simple request as part of their efforts to right their wrong: advise our members that those who self-identify as requiring accommodation will not be required to consume animal products and that they will not be removed from their work, suspended, sent home or reprised against in any manner what-so-ever.

It is time the TTC takes responsibility and provide Toronto’s 11,000 transit workers an answer by the end of the day.

Click here to read our response to the TTC below.

In Solidarity at the Keep Transit Public Rally

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 will fight to keep transit out of the hands of the private sector – wherever and whenever we see it happen. That’s why our members joined together with hundreds of Ontarians at Queen’s Park for the Keep Transit Public rally. Transit workers, advocates and riders all had one message for Ontario Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne and Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford: we won’t standby as you try to upload the TTC subway and put it on the fast track to privatization.

With an imminent election, keeping transit public must be a priority for all candidates and parties. We were proud to see New Democratic Leader Andrea Horwath show her support for our campaign, emphasizing the value of public transit to the everyday lives of Torontonians. Like Ms. Horwath, we think it’s important to make transit available to everyone no matter where you live or how much you earn – that means keeping it public.

Our very own ATU Local 113 member, Richard Freitas, also spoke at the rally alongside ATU Canada president Paul Thorp. Richard reminded us all what happens when private companies get involved in our public transit systems. We won’t let the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives forget that private contractors cost more, deliver less, cut corners and take longer to get projects done.

Watch a video of the event here.

Let’s keep transit accountable to the people who use it – let’s keep it public. Learn more about the Keep Transit Public campaign and get involved: http://www.keeptransitpublic.ca/

ATU Local 113 Warns of Service Delays due to TTC’s Failure to Hire

by Stephanie Gomez

ATU Local 113 is warning the public about potential service delays due to the Toronto Transit Commission’s failure to hire more workers.

The TTC has been operating with as high as 12 per cent of maintenance positions left unfilled. ATU Local 113 and its members are concerned the TTC has left these positions unfilled and are relying on overtime to make it easier to bring more privatization to Toronto’s public transit system.

Given these concerns over the TTC’s failure to hire, ATU Local 113 decided not to extend its agreement with the TTC to allow members to work as many as 64 hours per week. This decision came into effect April 30, 2018.

“With fewer workers on the job, we are warning riders of potential service impacts,” said Frank Grimaldi, ATU Local 113 President. “The city is in this position today because for far too long, the TTC neglected to hire enough workers to properly run our public transit system. ATU Local 113 is committed to the continuity of service while the TTC hires more public transit workers to ensure safe and reliable operations.”

Read more on the issue: https://wemovetoronto.ca/its-time-for-the-ttc-to-hire-more-public-transit-workers/ 

Bringing the Keep Transit Public campaign to the NDP Campaign Launch

by Stephanie Gomez

Ontario’s New Democratic Party leader Andrea Horwath launched her campaign to be Premier on Sunday from Hamilton. ATU Local 113 Executive Board Member John Di Nino attended the launch event – meeting after with Ms. Horwath to promote the Keep Transit Public campaign. Following a discussion about the importance of stopping the privatization of our public transit, she gave us a big thumbs up! With the provincial election approaching, it is important we are engaged with all parties trying to form government. Learn more about the Keep Transit Public campaign and get involved: https://www.keeptransitpublic.ca/#ktp-background

GO Transit union delivers fair tentative agreement – Why can’t the TTC do the same for us?

by Stephanie Gomez

While the TTC has walked away from the negotiating table, ATU Local 113 has been – and remains – willing to negotiate a fair contract.

TTC management is taking unconventional and inappropriate steps to force us to retreat from our position.

The TTC will never intimidate us. The TTC will never weaken us. And the TTC will never divide us.

ATU Local 113 is strong. We are united. And we will get the fair contract you deserve.

We stand in solidarity with ATU Local 1587, which delivered today a fair and concrete tentative agreement for its members who work with GO Transit.

The agreement includes no concessions, no reductions to contracting out provisions, wage increases every year and benefit improvements. You can read the full tentative agreement in the attachment below.

Why won’t the TTC negotiate the same for us?

Your union will continue to fight for what you deserve – a fair and equitable contract.

The TTC is spreading false information about our union’s decision to end the excess overtime agreement. This decision has nothing to do with contract negotiations.

The TTC is attacking our union and your legal rights – and we’re not going to stand for it. We are going to defend ourselves and fight back.

We’re not going to take it – and neither should you!

ATU Local 113: United Together for a Healthier and Safer Workplace

by Stephanie Gomez

On April 28th, ATU Local 113 pays respects, remembers and honours those who have been killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents. We also stand united and renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace.

Watch the presentation commemorating the National Day of Mourning at our April union meeting and later, read our official recognition of the day in a letter from ATU Local 113 Health and Safety Representative Andrew Falotico:

Day of Mourning Letter

 

Statement Regarding TTC CEO Andy Byford’s Resignation

by Stephanie Gomez

As we wish Andy Byford well as he leaves the TTC and moves into his new role — let us reaffirm that the City of Toronto must hire a replacement who respects workers’ rights and champions the expansion of much-needed public transit in Toronto. Regardless of who occupies the CEO chair at the TTC, we will continue to fight for transit workers, specifically protecting jobs, bringing an end to privatization, cleaning up the dirty air in the subway system and keeping members safe.