Reaching a Fair and Reasonable Agreement with ATU Local 113
January 5, 2022
Yesterday, arbitrator William Kaplan issued a decision with respect to the TTC’s most recent round of collective bargaining with our union partner ATU Local 113.
Since the beginning of the bargaining process in February 2021, the TTC has been committed to reaching a fair settlement that recognizes the hard work of the employees of this organization and the contributions they make every single day.
Our objective has always been to provide a fair wage increase for our employees while allowing the TTC to modernize in order to better serve customers. When we began bargaining, we knew that it was important to take into account the impact of the global pandemic on the organization’s finances while balancing the dedication of our employees.
Highlights of the three-year contract (April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2024) include:
- Wages increases of 2.17 per cent in 2021 and two per cent in each of the following two years;
- Improvements to employee benefits for: long-term disability, psychological, vision and hearing care, chiropody, clothing and footwear allowances, as well as bereavement leave; and
- A new Sunday premium structure at a “flat rate” based on current rates.
I look forward to working with Local 113 President Marvin Alfred and his executive team over the coming months to find common ground on this and other issues as we look to forge a new and improved relationship with our largest union partner.
June 30, 2021
Read TTC CEO Rick Leary’s letter to ATU President, Carlos Santos on ongoing collective bargaining.
We will continue to provide updates on this page over the coming weeks where and when appropriate.
June 29, 2021
For the past few months, the TTC and ATU Local 113, our largest union partner, have been in negotiations to reach a new collective agreement. Yesterday we entered into conciliation talks in an effort to reach a tentative agreement.
We met with ATU Local 113 and a Ministry of Labour appointed conciliator to try and reach a deal. We believe that what we put forward was the best collective agreement for everyone and something we hoped that we could have some meaningful dialogue aided by the conciliator.
In acknowledgment of the commitment that our employees make to the TTC, especially at this difficult time, we proposed a contract that includes a reasonable wage increase, maintains benefits and, in some cases, improves upon some benefit provisions which have been identified as those of central importance to employees through these negotiations.
Unfortunately, the ATU Local 113 quickly moved to request a “no board” decision from the Labour Board. This means the matter would be referred to interest arbitration and likely resolved by a third party. Any decision made by the arbitrator is final and binding.
February 26, 2021
Today, the TTC began negotiations on a new collective agreement with our largest union partner, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113. The current agreement expires on March 31, 2021. It is our intent to reach a new agreement by that date.
Local 113 represents a critical group of front-line staff, including operators and maintenance staff, all of whom continue to play a critically important role in keeping TTC customers moving.
The past 12 months have been the most difficult in the TTC’s 100-year history. Working collectively, this entire organization has tackled the unprecedented challenges we have faced.
Strict public health measures resulted in ridership and revenues hitting historic lows as people stayed home in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the lowest points of the pandemic last Spring, ridership dropped by 85 per cent, costing the TTC $20 million every week in lost revenues.
Throughout it all, the TTC kept service moving for the hundreds of thousands of people who continued to rely on us to get to essential jobs and appointments.
In that way, the TTC truly is an essential service and we will continue to serve our customers uninterrupted as this contract is negotiated.
The TTC is the third largest transit system in North America, we are vital to the success and prosperity of Canada’s largest economy and we are dedicated to moving people safely, efficiently, and affordably.
TTC employees have stepped up to serve our customers and our city at the most difficult time. We are proud of them and we appreciate the work they have done and continue to do.
We are now focused on having productive negotiations with ATU Local 113 to craft a fair and reasonable agreement.
Even in the face of significant challenges, we will work toward an agreement that:
- Provides a fair wage with a modest increase
- Maintains employee benefits
- Protects jobs and does not call for layoffs
- Helps the TTC adapt to change and deliver modern service, and
- Improves links with other transit services across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Collective bargaining is an important, formal process that can take time to get right.