Issue 133 | July 28, 2023 | |
A message from TTC CEO Rick Leary | |
By now, you will be well aware of the derailment we experienced on Line 3 earlier this week. While we don’t yet know what caused it, the work to investigate is well underway with several leading industry experts assisting our staff.
What we do know is that at approximately 6:45 p.m. on July 24, the trailing car of a southbound SRT train derailed south of Ellesmere Station. About 45 people were evacuated from the train, with five taken to hospital with minor injuries.
I want to stress that safety is paramount to everything we do, and we are taking every necessary action to ensure the well-being and safety of our customers and employees.
I want to express my thanks for the work of emergency responders and all the TTC employees who were involved.
We now know the investigation will take at least three weeks to conclude and we will make further decisions at that time. We will share more information with employees and the public as it becomes available.
Backpack drive and Caribbean Carnival Parade
The TTC has a number of special events coming up that I would like you to know about.
Volunteer organizers from the TTC Recreation Council are supporting the Toronto and Region Chapter of Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) with its annual backpack and fundraising drive. From now until August 23, employees are being asked to donate backpacks and school supplies for children and teens in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas around the city.
Drop boxes are located at all transportation divisions and several other properties, including Hillcrest and Head Office. This year’s goal is to collect 500 new backpacks and an assortment of school supplies. See below for more information.
I want remind everyone also that the TTC is participating in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade on August 5. The TTC Bacchanal Bus and 120 employees and their guests will be on the parade route. In celebration of Caribbean heritage, please look for upcoming employee features in the Weekly, on workplace TV screens and posters through the month of August.
Stay safe.
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Rick Leary
TTC CEO
July 28, 2023
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Start spreading the news!
We’re on a mission to spread positivity and celebrate the greatness in our workplace. If you have good news stories about an employee showing excellent customer service, keeping the system safe or helping keep the TTC clean, we want to hear about it! Send your good news stories to MyTTCWeekly@ttc.ca to have them featured here and on the MyTTC | Now TVs!
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Help us fill 500 backpacks with school supplies
The TTC and COMTO Toronto and Region are collecting school supplies for communities in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas in Toronto. People can donate until August 23, 2023. See this poster for a drop off locations and contact information. A Stuff-the-Bus event will take place on August 12 and 13. See this poster for more event details.
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Join the United Way ClimbUP event
Challenge yourself and conquer the 1,776 steps of the CN Tower to support United Way’s fight against local poverty on October 22, 2023.
See the poster for more details.
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Show your carnival spirit and attend the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade
If you are looking for tickets to attend the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade on Saturday, August 5, the parade organizers are offering general entry tickets at 20 per cent off for TTC employees. See the poster for more details and discount codes. If you are planning on viewing the parade, be sure to watch out for the TTC’s Bacchanal Bus on the parade route!
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Nominate a colleague for Rewards and Recognition
Twice a year, the TTC recognizes employees who go above and beyond in the areas of Safety, Leadership, Teamwork, Customer Service, Innovation and Sustainability, and Diversity.
Nominate a colleague by visiting rewards.ttc.ca. Submit your nominations by August 4, 2023 for the October 17, 2023 event.
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Enjoy a night of team building and fun at a Casa Loma escape event
When: Friday, August, 11, 2023 at 4 p.m.
Where: Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace)
Teams require 12 to 15 people. Registration ends on August 3, 2023. See the poster for more information.
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Visit the Toronto Zoo and join the TTC Recreation Council Summer picnic
When: Sunday, August 13, 2023
Where: Toronto Zoo (200 Meadowvale Rd.)
Tickets include entry to the zoo and a picnic lunch. See the poster for more information. Contact a member of your local recreation council to learn more.
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Apply to CUTA's 2023 Young Leaders Summit in Edmonton
The Young Leaders Summit, taking place from November 10-12, 2023, in Edmonton, Alberta, is an all-expenses paid conference for early career professionals to learn, share ideas and connect with peers and industry professionals. Individuals aged 18-28 are eligible to apply. Sponsors for the event are also being accepted.
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What's happening
News from around the TTC
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The Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride returns to the TTC
From 11:25 p.m., Monday, July 31, until 1 a.m., Tuesday, August 1, the TTC will host the annual Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride. This event will be taking place on Line 1 from Union Station north to Downsview Park Station, and is accessible and open to the public.
This event, presented in collaboration with Blackhurst Cultural Centre, is symbolic of the role that the Underground Railroad had in abolishing slavery in Canada.
To learn more about the event, visit ttc.ca.
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Wheel-Trans, Bus Transportation and Bus Maintenance participate in the 2023 Roadeo Challenge
The TTC's Bus Transportation, Wheel-Trans and Bus Maintenance departments will participate in the 2023 Roadeo Challenge, an annual driving and maintenance competition.
Run-offs for Bus Transportation will take place on August 15 and August 16, and for Wheel-Trans on August 22. Maintenance competition application forms are due on September 5.
The grand championship will take place on Sunday, October 15 at Arrow Road Division from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will coincide with the TTC’s Family Day. See your supervisor for more details.
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New focus room revealed at 5160 Yonge St.
The Workplace Transformation Program has installed a pilot "focus room" on the 11th floor at 5160 Yonge St.
The room is part of the Workplace Transformation Program’s initiatives that include transforming existing workspaces to support a hybrid work model. The focus room allows employees to take calls or meetings with greater privacy and helps lessen disruption to others. The room also includes a video and audio-enabled curved monitor, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone, acoustic panelling for sound dampening, and modern TTC art that brightens the space.
Visit the 11th floor to check out the pilot Focus Room.
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Greenwood Track Stars win TTC Recreation Council Softball Tournament
This Saturday, 23 TTC softball teams from all over the commission faced off at the annual TTC Recreation Council Softball Tournament.
A huge congratulations to the winning team, the Greenwood Track Stars, who beat runners-up and three-time defending champions, the Arrow Road Regulators.
Thank you to all the participants, as well as everyone who organized and supported this incredible tournament.
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TTC employees can save up to 43 per cent on CNE tickets
Until August 17, TTC employees can get up to 43 per cent off CNE tickets. See the poster for more details and how to buy tickets.
You can find tons of great deals like this one on the TTC Recreation Council's page on MyTTC | SAP Jam.
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Bonnie Ng appointed Project Administrative Secretary, effective June 25, 2023
Bonnie earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Open University of Hong Kong, a postgraduate diploma in public relations and communication from Hong Kong University – School of Continuing Education, and a master’s degree in social science in applied sociology from the City University of Hong Kong.
Prior to joining the TTC, Bonnie acquired extensive experience in project coordination, human resources, and business administration from various companies including eBay, Schneider Electric, Bank of American Merrill Lynch, Chanel, and Burberry.
When Bonnie joined the TTC in 2022, she worked as a Training Coordinator in Human Resources before transferring to the Track and Structures as a Clerk, Maintenance Engineering. In the temporary role of Project Administrative Secretary, Bonnie will be supporting the eBus, Hybrid, and Wheel-Trans programs.
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Sam Sidawi appointed Head of Enterprise Asset, effective July 17, 2023
Sam is a Professional Engineer who brings to the TTC more than 35 years of experience delivering complex asset management, climate change adaptation, and technology initiatives.
Sam has spent much of his career in the municipal sector working for various local municipalities. Most recently he was the Director of Enterprise Asset Management at the Region of Peel where he oversaw the region’s Asset Management initiates. He is also a member of the ISO Technical Committee responsible for the development and updates of the ISO Asset Management suite of standards.
Sam holds a degree in civil engineering from the University of Waterloo.
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Yeeman Chen appointed Manager, Corporate Deliverables, effective July 23, 2023
Yeeman has been with the TTC since 2012 where she started as a Co-op Student. She has also held the roles of Truck and Coach Technician, Technical Trainer, Foreperson, Shift Supervisor, and Manager of Clerical Services.
Yeeman holds a Bachelor of Arts and a postgraduate certificate in human resources, and certifications in a truck and coach technician and adult education certification. She is currently working towards obtaining a project management certificate.
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Deepika Gangwani appointed Manager, Corporate Deliverables, effective July 23, 2023
Deepika joined the TTC in 2016 as a Station Fare Collector. She has also held the roles of Divisional Clerk, Coordinator Administrative Support, Assistant Manager of Clerical Services, and Workforce Data Analyst.
Deepika is a graduate of the biotechnology technician program with distinction in leadership from Centennial College and is currently enrolled in the human resources management program at York University. She is also a proud member of the TTC Honour Guard.
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Rishi Ramjit appointed Director, Automatic Train Control (ATC), effective July 23, 2023
Rishi is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Project Management Professional. He brings over 17 years of engineering and project management experience within the TTC in both Signals and Train Control Engineering and ATC. He served as the Acting ATC Project Director in 2019 and most recently in the last year oversaw the successful completion of multiple phases including the full implementation of ATC on Line 1.
Rishi holds a bachelor’s of applied science in electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo.
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Mark your calendar
Events and observances from July 31 - August 13, 2023
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August - Emancipation Month
August 3 - Black Women's Equal Pay Day
August 7 - Civic Holiday (Simcoe Day)
August 7 - Terry Fox Day
August 9 - International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
August 13 - Obon begins (Buddhism/Shinto)
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Diep Lawson
Instructor, Operations Training Centre
Diep Lawson joined the TTC because he believed it to be a diverse and progressive organization. In 2001, he started as a Transit Operator before becoming an Operations Supervisor. Now, he’s an Instructor in the Operations Training Centre (OTC). He is also a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) member and Ministry of Transportation-Signing Authority (MTO-SA).
As an Instructor, Diep plays a vital role in facilitating various training programs. His typical day involves conducting BUS 120 training, Air Brake training, and administering MTO tests. “One of my favorite parts about this job is to see the trainees succeed in their respective fields,” Diep shared.
One of his memorable days at work was when he helped a customer with Alzheimer's find their residence. Working in Toronto, Diep appreciates the city's multiculturalism, recognizing it as one of the best places to live and work, where diversity is not only celebrated but valued.
In his free time, Diep enjoys hiking and gardening and he would like to pursue fishing as a hobby in the future.
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Know someone you'd like to see featured in an Employee Spotlight?
Nominate TTC employees by e-mailing MyTTCWeekly@ttc.ca.
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| Employee Career Centre
New TTC internal job postings
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At the TTC, we are committed to helping you reach your professional goals through internal promotion and transfer opportunities. The Employee Career Centre allows current employees to apply for any available position.
The TTC is committed to fostering a positive workplace culture with a workforce that is representative of the communities it serves. Committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, the TTC encourages applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodation is available for applicants of all abilities throughout the recruitment process.
New positions available:
Corporate Services
- Procurement & Contract Specialist (Req I.D. 7580)
- Procurement & Contract Specialist - Construction Category (Req I.D. 8080)
- Head, Procurement and Category Management (Req I.D. 7640)
- Senior Testing & Quality Assurance Analyst (Req I.D. 7383)
Diversity and Culture
- Vendor and Contract Specialist (Req I.D. 8054)
Engineering, Construction and Expansion
- Senior Transportation Planner (Req I.D. 8073)
- Senior Planner and Scheduler (Req I.D. 8018)
Operations and Infrastructure
- Planner, Asset Management (Req I.D. 8074)
- Senior Ontario Land Surveyor - Subway (Req I.D. 7451)
People
- Clerk, Training (Req I.D. 8021)
Strategy and Customer Experience
- Revenue Equipment Attendant (Req I.D. 6627)
- Customer Information Representative (Req I.D. 8053)
- Customer Information Representative, Part Time (Req I.D. 8052)
Transportation and Vehicles
- Garage Foreperson (Req I.D. 7095)
For more information and a list of all current job postings, visit the Employee Career Centre on MyTTC | Home. Log in with your MyTTC username and password.
Please contact Diversity and Culture – Talent Management at 416-393-4570 with any questions.
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TTC and ATU Local 113 unveils bus-of-the-future design-concepts to improve bus operator security
Mass Transit, July 24, 2023
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"The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and ATU Local 113 have unveiled bus-of-the-future design-concepts to improve security and provide a healthier working environment for bus operators, as part of a Bus Design Innovation Program together with ATU International and Centennial College."
Read the full article
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Consultation on TTC wireless access proposes 'expedited' negotiation timelines
City News, July 25, 2023
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"Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne's newly launched consultation process regarding wireless access on Toronto's subway system proposes a timeline that could see the dispute between carriers resolved by December and partial service rolled out for all customers by the middle of 2024."
Read the full article
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