By Donna Burman, member of ATU Local 113 Recently, a study led by University of Toronto (U of T) chemical engineer Greg Evans published in Environmental Science and Technology demonstrated that that trains and platforms of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) have higher levels of air pollution than other transportation systems in Canada. There is Continue readingPutting the mask on TTC subway air pollution
Toronto
by Donna Burman member of ATU Local 113 Random Testing was introduced by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) on May 8, 2017 as part of its Fitness for Duty policy. Currently, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113, which represents 11,000 TTC workers, has been in arbitration with the TTC over this matter. In recent months, Continue readingThe problems with the TTC’s random testing
By David Bush and Gerard Di Trolio On Wednesday of this week RankandFile.ca obtained a recording of a conversation between two executive board members at ATU Local 113, Tony Barbosa and John DiNino, occurring before the trusteeship. Both DiNino, who recorded the call, and Barbosa have confirmed the authenticity of the recording. In this conversation Continue reading“Who’s the big white shark?” A plot to raid the ATU?
By Brad Walchuk The lines between fact and fiction have become increasingly blurred in recent weeks thanks to the newly elected Trump administration in the United States. Outright lies are being cast as “alternative facts,” while evidence based arguments are dismissed as fake news. In such a climate, even north of the border, it’s something Continue readingToronto mayor’s garbage privatization plan kicked to the curb
A panel of activists and historians on the struggles of women and the poor in the city’s history. Gaetan Heroux is an anti-poverty activist with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty. He has worked in the Dundas and Sherbourne area more than 25 years. He is also co-author, with Bryan D. Palmer, of Toronto’s Poor: A Continue readingWeekend Video: Class Struggles TO: Women & the Poor in the City’s History
By Tim Heffernan The following is an interview with Sean Smith, Mobilization Co-ordinator with UNIFOR 2002 and a representative of the Toronto Airport Workers Council. The interview was conducted in April 2016. Tim: Tell me about the issues facing workers at Pearson Airport. Sean: Well, what’s unique about airline workers (and) that few people realise Continue readingClass struggle at Pearson airport
By Gerard Di Trolio Contract talks between the City of Toronto and 28,000 of its employees are going down to the wire. As of 12:01 a.m. on February 19, CUPE Local 416 representing outside workers at the City of Toronto will be in a legal strike position. CUPE Local 79 representing inside workers will be Continue readingWhat’s at stake for Toronto municipal workers
By Nora Loreto Earlier this week, Goodwill announced that they were closing their Toronto-area stores. Sixteen stores and 10 donation centres stocked full of donated clothing and household items were apparently no longer profitable. The workers have expressed the most shock. Despite business as usual, as deliveries continued and people dropped off their impulse buys, Continue readingUnions Could Save Goodwill Toronto From Incompetent Management
By Gerard Di Trolio Cleaners in several office buildings in downtown Toronto and their allies held a protest last Friday to raise awareness of a number of major issues they have with their employers as part of the ongoing Justice for Janitors campaign organized by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2. Contractors providing cleaning Continue readingCleaners rally for justice
By John DG 30 Norfinch Drive may not be the centre of the city, but right now you could call it the centre of the fight to decide wether hospitality jobs in the city of Toronto will be a path to the middle class or a poverty sentence. To keep warm and occupied the workers Continue readingHoliday Inn workers stand up for Toronto service sector
By Dan Janssen, Vice President IAMAW Local 2323 With the Federal election just around the corner, it is a very exciting time to be part of the labour movement in Canada. As a passionate and active union representative, a member of the Toronto Airport Workers Council, and a worker at Canada’s largest airport, I feel Continue readingPearson workers at the vanguard of labour struggles this election
On June 16 and 18 the Planning and Growth Management Committee of the city of Toronto held hearings on the Canada Post’s plan to end home mail delivery and install Community Mailboxes (CMBs). Just days before the hearings Canada Post announced it would keep door-to-door delivery in the downtown core of the city. The announcement Continue readingFighting CMBs at Toronto City Hall