Toronto Transit Commission personnel

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Most Toronto Transit Commission personnel are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113. Total membership (2016) is approximately 10000 members (drivers, ticket collectors and maintenance workers). [1] The ATU has represented Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) workers since 1899; workers of predecessor operators have been represented by the ATU's predecessor, the Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America. The president of ATU Local 113 was Bob Kinnear [2] from 2003 to February 2017, Carlos Santos from January 2019 to December 2021 and Marvin Alfred since December 2021. [3]

Contents

Another 500 workers (signal, electrical and communications workers) are represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2.

Staff positions

TTC Chief Supervisor on Dundas Street CheifSupervisor.jpg
TTC Chief Supervisor on Dundas Street

Other than drivers and supervisors, the TTC also employs support staff to keep the system running:

Union history

Unionized transit workers (Toronto Railway Company from 1899 to 1921, then the TTC after 1921) in Toronto began with:

Memorial

TTC employees who have lost their lives in the line of duty:

2012 budget process

In an effort to cut 10% out of its 2012 operating budget – a request made by the Rob Ford administration to all City departments – the TTC announced that it would have to roll back service on most routes to loading and service standards from 2008. [12] On September 19, 2011, the TTC announced that 250 non-union jobs would be eliminated. [13] The cuts to the non-union positions will consist of both layoffs and "voluntary separation packages". It was also announced that 232 unionized "frontline" (operators and collectors) positions would be eliminated through attrition. [13] It was also revealed that a further 500–600 unionized jobs could be eliminated next year by contracting out various positions in clerical and maintenance related departments. [12]

Labour disputes

Strikes and labour disputes have affected TTC service on various occasions: [14]

In 2011, the provincial government passed the Toronto Transit Commission Labour Disputes Resolution Act (a.k.a. the TTC Act) to prohibit TTC strikes because the TTC was considered to be an essential service. However, in 2023, an Ontario Superior Court judge ruled that the act was unconstitutional as the government failed to show why the TTC is essential. The judge stated that a TTC strike would not endanger anyone's safety or health, and that the government did not prove there would be serious economic consequences. [17]

Uniforms

Since September 2014 new uniforms are being phased in to replace current stock, but some elements will remain until new designs are selected or acquired.

For Operators/Collectors:

For maintenance staff:

For senior staff/supervisors similar uniform as operators but peaked hats are worn instead of ball caps.

Prior to the current design, the uniform consisted of a light brown shirt and medium brown slacks and blazers.

Honour Guard

The TTC Honour Guard in Nathan Phillips Square TTC Honour Guard at Nathan Phillips Square.jpg
The TTC Honour Guard in Nathan Phillips Square

The TTC Honour Guard represents the TTC at city ceremonies and police funerals. Members wear caps, white shirts, blue blazers with Honour Guard crests and grey pants. The unit was formed in 1994 from TTC Operations supervisory ranks following the funeral for Toronto Police Constable Todd Baylis. The unit had 19 members as of 2001.

Special constables

The TTC Transit Enforcement Unit employs over 50 special constables which are the safety and security division of the transit system. Sworn in by the TTC along with the Toronto Police, York Regional Police and Peel Regional Police services, they patrol properties, vehicles and the subway system throughout the entire area served by the TTC. From 1997 until January 31, 2011, the officers were known as special constables. Between February 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013, the special constables were replaced by bylaw enforcement officers known as "transit enforcement officers", who were primarily tasked with fare evasion enforcement, along with other upholding other statutes in TTC By-law # 1 and some federal and provincial statutes. The officers regained special constable status on January 1, 2014, under a new agreement reached by the TTC and the Toronto Police Service.

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References

  1. "ATU Local 113 - About".
  2. Kalinowski, Tess (April 19, 2008). "Union leader mellows as style matures". Toronto Star.
  3. Spurr, Ben (December 2, 2021). "TTC union chief loses re-election bid amid vaccine mandate fight". Toronto Star .
  4. McParland, Kelly (September 23, 1982). "TTC death needless, inquiry told". Toronto Star. p. B9.
  5. "Births, Deaths, Memorials". Toronto Star. June 2, 1982. p. C6.
  6. Henry, Michele (January 30, 2009). "GTA | Police will soon patrol TTC stations". TheStar.com. Toronto. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  7. "Subway has been the scene of terrible violence before". citynews.ca. January 22, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
  8. "CityNews: Part Of Subway Likely To Stay Closed Until Tuesday After Fatal Accident". Citynews.ca. April 23, 2007. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  9. DON PEAT, Sun Media (November 24, 2008). "Service over safety: TTC employees | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun". Toronto Sun<!. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  10. "Subway resumes after TTC worker killed by train". The Toronto Star. September 14, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  11. "Statement on the passing of TTC employee Tom Dedes".
  12. 1 2 Kalinowski, Tess (September 16, 2011). "TTC unveils layoffs, buyout plan". thestar.com. Toronto.
  13. 1 2 Vincent, Donovan (September 19, 2011). "TTC unveils layoffs, buyout plan". thestar.com. Toronto.
  14. "The History of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 – Toronto" (PDF). ATU Local 113. p. 22. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  15. CTV.ca
  16. "Toronto commuters face normal Monday after weekend TTC strike". CBC News. April 28, 2008. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008.
  17. "TTC workers have right to go on strike, Ontario court rules". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. May 9, 2023.