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.

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.”

Mukisa Devis

Davis Mukisa
TBM Employee at the TTC

There is a better way!

Collage of public transit passengers

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.

Click image for PDF. See page 4.
Click image for PDF

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.

Ward 9 Candidate Alejandra Bravo
That means that I will work to protect safety in the workplace and ensure a living wage and paid sick days for all. I know first-hand that we need to defend and protect good union jobs and public services because both are essential to supporting residents and families. In my earlier years, I worked directly with trade unionists as a community organizer with the Hotel Workers Rising campaign and together with a coalition of workers, I helped to create the community benefits movement in Toronto to seek economic justice for all. As an immigrant myself, I understand the challenges that newcomers face in navigating city services and finding decent work. If elected as a city councillor, I will advocate and fight for workers and create positive change to meet the needs of women, racialized workers and their families and marginalized communities. For more information about my platform and plan please visit www.bravodavenport.ca
Ward 17 Candidate Shelley Carroll
I’m proud to have spent this term fighting for quality working conditions and compensation for the workers who make our system run and hope to be back to continue our critical work, namely successorship rights for workers under contract.
Ward 10 Candidate Ausma Malik

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.

Ward 3 candidate Amber Morley

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.

Ward 4 Candidate Gord Perks
and uphold its commitment to a strong, diverse and inclusive workforce. Only together, can we build a better Toronto.
Ward 7 Candidate Anthony Perruzza
We must ensure that these workers keep their jobs to continue supporting the needs of our expanding transit system. We rely on these workers, and their employee rights and livelihoods are important to protect.
Ward 13 candidate Chris Moise

We look forward to working with you!