Sisters and Brothers,

Without proper consultation or even telling us about their plan before they went public, TTC CEO Rick Leary informed TTC workers that they now require you to share your vaccination status within a week’s time. This is personal information, which we believe you have the right to keep confidential if you so choose.

Despite what Rick Leary says about “continuing to work with union partners,” TTC management has NOT worked at all with ATU Local 113 and has failed to provide any information about mandatory vaccinations, including any policies regarding basic exemptions. Rick Leary and TTC management’s lack of consultation and proper communications about this so-called policy is an insult to our union and the nearly 12,000 members. Workers deserve a management team that truly consults on important health issues.

ATU Local 113 believes it is unfair for the TTC to keep their plan for mandatory vaccinations a secret while demanding workers disclose their private health information.

Since the TTC is familiar with infringing upon workers’ rights, our union is well-versed in fighting for our membership. ATU Local 113 will continue to fight for your rights, which includes safeguarding your personal health choices.

– Carlos Santos, ATU Local 113 President

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Good afternoon—

Two weeks ago, I announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for all TTC employees, consultants, contractors and students. I want you to know that this wasn’t a decision that was made lightly – but it was the right thing to do. We’re dealing with a more transmissible variant of COVID-19, which means more than ever, we need to do everything we can to stop the spread of this virus and protect ourselves, our co-workers, and our families.

I know many of you have questions about the policy. We continue to work with our union partners and we will be share the policy with you in the coming days.

As part of this policy, we will be asking you to upload your vaccination proof during the week of September 7. If you haven’t already done so, please seek out your vaccination proof now and be ready to share it next week. You may have saved the receipt that was given to you when you received your vaccine dose. You can also find your receipt by logging into the provincial portal at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccine-booking-support or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900.

We’re working hard to make this process as easy as possible. Supports for this policy, including FAQs and instructions on how to upload your proof of vaccination, will be shared with you as well as your supervisor and manager in the coming days. We will also make sure there are opportunities for you to ask any questions you may have about the policy and how it applies to you.

We have been a leader in safety throughout the pandemic, and we will continue to lead. I have said it from the beginning—your safety is paramount in all we do. The safety of all our employees and customers has always been, and continues to be, what guides our decision making at the TTC.

If you haven’t already received your vaccination, we are working with health partners to host pop-up vaccine clinics, including clinics at Victoria Park Station today and tomorrow, as well as at Warden Station from September 7 to 9. You can find more details on MyTTC | SAP Jam or at ttc.ca.

This pandemic road has been a bumpy one, but I know that together, we will get through this. I look forward to sharing more details with you soon.

Please take care and stay vigilant.

Richard J. Leary
Chief Executive Officer
September 1, 2021