There is a Better Way
TTC Contract-Flipping Shouldn’t Hurt Workers
The contracted-out workers, employed by TBM, clean, wash, and disinfect TTC buses and streetcars. They have been on the front lines throughout the pandemic to ensure the TTC and Toronto could keep running.
Most of the workers are members of racialized communities and a majority are women.
The TTC says it is “committed to promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion [1]” and establishing “a procurement policy grounded in equity and diversity [2].” (See documents below)
However, when the TTC changes contractors, the impacted workers and their families risk losing all the workplace improvements they’ve made over the years. They can lose rights and gains like health and dental coverage, a pension, regular wage increases, and seniority rights.
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Working through the pandemic has been tough, but our diverse and inclusive work environment has helped us get through it. Now we risk losing what we’ve worked hard to build over the years because our employer’s contract with the TTC expires next year. There has been no commitment from the TTC that we will keep our workplace improvements or even our jobs.
It’s distressing because we have families depending on us.
The time for the TTC to demonstrate that what we contribute is valued is now. We need to be treated as equals. We need successor rights like other contract workers have at the TTC so that we can keep contributing to our fullest potential without fearing we’ll be out of a work next year.
As TBM employees we need to do everything in our power to elect a City Council that will help make sure the TTC’s beautiful words about promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion are not left to live only on paper.”
Davis Mukisa
TBM Employee at the TTC
There is a better way!
Successor Rights
The TTC can change contractors when they deem it necessary while still lifting up women and workers from racialized communities. They can ensure contract-flipping doesn’t result in people performing essential work being treated as second-class citizens.
The solution is to provide successor rights for all contractor employees at the TTC. These rights ensure contracted employees keep the workplace gains they’ve made, even when the TTC changes contractors.
This concrete step would help the TTC fulfill its commitments and has a clear precedent: federal and building service providers at the TTC already have this right. The federal and provincial governments recognized the detrimental impact contract-flipping has had on workers, their families, and their communities, and enacted successor rights.
TBM workers, however, have fallen through the cracks – they are not covered.
About 450 full time jobs are at risk.
Together we can change that.
Support for TBM workers
Torontonians need a City Council that will hold the TTC to its commitment to promoting and supporting diversity and inclusion.
Congratulations to the following candidates who are supporting TBM workers and won their seats.
and allowing us to navigate our City with peace of mind. They have been supporting us. It’s time we support them.
These essential workers are struggling with ever-increasing costs of living. They are also predominantly workers of colour and female. The TTC’s decision to change contractors shouldn’t jeopardize these workers’ hard-fought wage increases and benefits and undercut the TTC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. I fully support successorship rights, so that all contracted employees at the TTC remain protected by their union.
Regardless of contractor, all TTC workers deserve fair and reliable compensation that recognizes the value of their work. I stand in solidarity with these workers in their fight for fair treatment as they continue their mission of keeping transit riders safe and healthy.
It is not acceptable that contract employees at the TTC should fear job loss simply because of business decisions by the TTC (such as a change of contractor).
The solution is simple – contract changes should include clauses for job protection. What is good for workers is good for the whole city, and as Councillor, I will work to ensure those workers maintain their jobs and the benefits they’ve earned.
We look forward to working with you!
