Toronto transit union to cooperate with TTC service improvement initiatives

TORONTO, Jan. 27 /CNW/ - The head of the union that represents Toronto Transit Commission workers said today that they welcome the TTC's announcement of several initiatives aimed at improving service and will cooperate in those areas where employees can make a difference.

"Our front line members take the brunt of public dissatisfaction with service deficiencies even though we have absolutely no control over most of the problems in the system," said Bob Kinnear, President of ATU Local 113.

"When fares go up, vehicles are uncomfortably crowded, service is disrupted, escalators are out of order and subway stations are dirty, passengers don't yell at management or the government, they yell at us because we're right there. And sometimes they do more than yell at us. The number and severity of assaults on our members are going up, not down.

"We acknowledge that individual front line employees can make a difference in customer perception and we will cooperate with the TTC in working to improve in these areas," said Kinnear.

"It is in everyone's interest that we all work together to improve public transit service and Local 113 will take this and other opportunities to reach out to the public and foster better two-way communication."

For further information: Bill Reno, [phone]