June 1, 2024 | Socialist Action
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 represents nearly 12,000 public transit workers at the Toronto Transit Commission, the third largest such public system in North America. The ATU has been negotiating towards a new collective agreement with management since February. It will be in a position to strike on June 7. The union regained its legal right to strike last year after being declared an essential service by the 2010 Ontario Liberal government following a request from Mayor Rob Ford’s Toronto city council. Multiple court appeals upheld the right. The question remains: What will happen if there is a strike?
When critical infrastructure workers, like public transport, sanitation or postal workers have struck they have been routinely legislated back to work, have had parts of their work privatized, and have been forced into arbitrated settlements with little leverage to negotiate. The President of ATU said he will go to jail for this union, which could mean defying legislation. ATU workers have seen their purchasing power slashed by a third over the past two decades, have seen new projects go to private corporations like Metrolinx and Cross Town, and witnessed the contracting out of former union positions.
ATU International has been closely involved with Local 113 in preparing for this action. Together they have held information and consultation meetings, hosted online training sessions, sent out multiple updates on bargaining, held a strike vote (in which 98% voted Yes, with about 77% participation) and plan to hold another vote soon. Bargaining information came out slowly at first, but with pressure from members it has become regular. A strike schedule is more than half complete, though getting everyone to sign up has proved a bit of a challenge.
There are 3 big issues in the minds of members.
Compensation. The union bargaining team proposed a wage increase of 8,7 and 6 per cent over 3 years — a twist on TTC CEO Rick Leary. Following his first year 21% raise, Leary now makes $500,000. Eight, 7, and 6% is above inflation now, but for over a decade ATU 113 had to put up with arbitrated contracts that left compensation far below inflation. Some people think transit is a cushy job. Sometimes I have a nice day, but we must be constantly vigilant in everything we do. Speaking from the operations side, there are hazards, from reckless drivers and cyclists, to construction zones, debris, breakdowns, errant or rushing pedestrians, communicating about service disruptions, dealing with emergency situations, confronting violence, mental health issues and intoxicated passengers. Workers face abuse and sometimes assault. We deal with a management team that looks to blame the employee first, threaten and punish them second and only rarely consider the work they do. The word toxic gets thrown around often. I’ve heard multiple members call to support the raise. We are not timid in asking for it. For the most part, we recognize that we make a decent living by comparison to others, but as union members we must inspire other workers to organize and fight for fair compensation, and not sell ourselves short.
Bargaining should occur openly, open to all members, with no concessions.
Cross boundary and contracting out. These two issues are less straightforward, but pose a greater threat to TTC workers. Privatizing or contracting out work is not just a threat. It has already occurred to certain maintenance jobs within the TTC, primarily to cleaners. Management proposes changes to language in our contract that would remove the protection to existing quality jobs. Similarly, cross boundary would open up to other transit authorities the services that ATU 113 members provide. Service integration is important, but Local 113 has the workforce to meet those needs currently. Having other companies undermine us would lead to a cut in the workforce and again to the loss of quality jobs. ATU 113 fought long for good jobs. Members have seen how Metrolinx and Cross Town, pets of the provincial government, wasted hundreds of millions of dollars, squandered so much time and resources, to make a few people very rich. Successive attacks on public transit have resulted in further loss of public control over these projects.
Keep transit Public.
ATU 113 seeks greater partnership with communities and transit users on improving the system. The connection has been strengthened in recent years and jointly they have presented evidence to improve service and confront challenges in the system. Members know that our job is to work for the public. We want that experience to be as good as possible. We know that ATU and the TTC can not solve all the city’s deficiencies on our own. But there are things we can do. The union has elected as far as I know to keep a skeleton crew of wheel trans running to deliver patients with critical health care needs to and from appointments. It’s a shame when we support striking nurses, and we know that everyone deserves their needs being met in a dignified way, but management withholds from us that same dignity and then dangles a moral obligation over our heads. Unfortunately taking a strong stand isn’t always pretty. CUPE Local 2, representing electrical workers at the TTC, CUPE Local 470 representing operations supervisors, and some other small locals would be effected by a strike.
Picket Lines Mean Do Not Cross.
Members are ready to strike. Veterans are tired after decades of putting up with whatever management is willing to offer. New hires see their future at stake. In a world gone mad with greed and poverty, we know the value of solidarity. Some complain about strike pay, or criticize the leadership, fairly or not, or seem resigned to defeat claiming we will be legislated back to work again. Fortunately, there is much more hope and positive spirit towards fighting for a better life today.
Build a United Front Campaign Now – Victory to the Toronto Transit Workers!
Now is the time to organize active solidarity. Bring together unions, transit riders, socialists, feminists, tenants’ organizations, students, seniors, environmentalists, the entire working class and our allies. Spread the demands of ATU Local 113. Build a united front campaign. In the event of a strike, picket TTC operations and yards. A victory for Toronto Transit Workers is a victory for the vast majority.
This article is by a TTC worker who is a member of Socialist Action