ATU Canada expresses solidarity with millions of workers protesting in India against a brutal legislation proposal that would deregulate the Indian farming industry and bring untold suffering on to their livelihoods of farmers.

OTTAWA - ATU Canada, Canada’s largest transit union, expressed their disappointment this morning with the so-called historic announcement from the federal government. Although almost $15 billion was announced for public transit funding over the next eight years, none of it is dedicated operational funding.

On Wednesday morning, ATU Canada was made aware that two of its members of Hamilton ATU local 107 were terminated by the City of Hamilton because of their ongoing medical condition. Although the employee’s doctors recommended alternate work, the City of Hamilton decided to terminate their employees.

Three weeks ago on the 9th of January, when your government made an announcement to extend emergency child care to front line workers. We were very disappointed to see that transit workers were once again not included in the updated list. Upon hearing of the announcement, we sent out a press release and made a public demand that transit workers be included but were met with no response from your government. We are surprised and disappointed to see transit workers not making the list.

The Amalgamated Transit Union signaled their support this morning FOR the Alberta Federation of Labour’s (AFL) proposed legal challenge against the Kenney government’s plan to take control of public sector pensions. AFL President Gil McGowan announced Monday that the AFL, on behalf of several other unions, would be taking the government to court over a ministerial order, imposed under Bill 22, that gives the finance minister power to intervene and dictate how investment management services are provided.

This afternoon, Premier Ford announced that the province of Ontario was set to go into another lockdown along with a stay-at-home order, effective Thursday, January 14th. While we support more measures to try and keep Ontarians safe, this latest announcement once again falls short of protecting transit professionals and their families.

ATU Canada National President, John Di Nino is angered by Education Minister Stephen Lecce’s statement earlier today. While the government says they are extending childcare benefits, they failed to include transit workers, who have provided a critical service during the pandemic.

It is no doubt that 2020 has been a difficult year for transit professionals across Canada. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have faced declining ridership, the threat of massive service cuts, job losses and our livelihoods being at risk - yet you have persevered through it all. Your important work continues to move frontline workers and transit riders throughout our country so that they can, like you, continue to provide and access some of the critical services we need.