All buses in B.C. will be equipped with security cameras and possibly Plexiglas shields for drivers after a string of violent incidents on Kelowna Transit buses.

In a labour ruling believed to be the first of its kind in Ontario, a provincial arbitrator has censured the TTC for its behaviour on Twitter, determiningthat the transit agency didn’t do enough to protect its employees from harassment on social media.

The case centres on the commission’s @TTChelps Twitter profile, which the agency launched in 2012to field questions and complaints from the public. The union that represents TTC workers filed a grievance about the account in 2013.

According to a decision released earlier this month, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 argued that by operating @TTChelps the agency was “providing a forum for haters and abusers to heap abuse” on employees, and failed to “effectively deal with that abuse.”.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/07/28/ttc-loses-labour-ruling-over-abuse-of-workers-on-social-media.html

Click here to read the entire Arbitration Award.

Click Here To View PDF

The head of a union that represents TTC workers says his members did not receive a warning to be on alert prior to a terrorism suspect being killed in a police takedown in Strathroy.

TTC Spokesperson Brad Ross previously said that the transit agency had issued a “See something, say something” vigilance notice to all staff after being made aware of a non-specific threat on Wednesday morning but on Friday ATU Local 113 President Bob Kinnear told CP24 that front-line workers were not included in the correspondence.

Rather, Kinnear said that an email memo was sent to supervisory staff only.

Dear Local Officers,

From Winnipeg, MB, to Toronto, ON to Kelowna, BC, to Brampton, ON, assaults on ATU members and all transit workers have become an epidemic. Not a week goes by that we don’t hear stories about bus operators and other transit workers being punched, stabbed, yelled at, spit on, shot at, and worse.

ATU is calling on transit agencies, law enforcement, and elected officials to better protect all transit workers and riders. That is why it is important that you tell your stories of senseless attacks on bus operators, like the ones we too often read in the news each day and voice your opinion on the best ways to address this problem.

We want to hear from you about the key points and recommendations to prevent attacks on transit workers. Below is a link to our new survey on operator assaults that we want you to fill it out and send to your members to fill out: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JHTLL2P

The following resource is also available on the subject Ripped from the Headlines / Canada: Bus Drivers Under Attack

If you have any questions, please contact my office.

In solidarity,

Lawrence J. Hanley
International President

Dozens of members of Local 1546 – Baton Rouge, LA have been hit hard by the historic flooding in southeastern Louisiana. “Our members were bravely driving Baton Rouge residents to safety before the storms began and then came home to sheer devastation once the flooding began,” said Local President Alfred Weeden, who had 3 people in his neighborhood killed by the dangerous flooding. “Many of their homes have been destroyed, gutted and beyond livable. Almost all have been without electricity or running water since Saturday.”

Weeden says his members are continuing to work and buses are rolling. The ATU salutes our Baton Rouge members for their dedication and commitment to safely transporting the people of Baton Rouge in the face of this historic disaster.

We pray for the safety of our Baton Rouge members and call on all ATU members to help those impacted by the floods by contributing to the ATU Disaster Relief Fund. From Hurricane Sandy to relief for victims of the Colorado fires and Oklahoma tornadoes, our members have supported workers in dire need and now it’s time we show our support for our Baton Rouge members.

ATU Disaster Relief Fund donations can be made online here or by mailing a check to:

Amalgamated Transit Union Disaster Relief Fund
10000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20903
Attn: Lawrence J. Hanley