Thank Your Transit Worker Day – March 18

Transit workers play a crucial role in keeping cities functioning smoothly, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. From bus drivers and train operators to maintenance crews and dispatchers, road supervisors to controllers, these individuals ensure that millions of people can commute safely and reliably every day. Their work supports economic activity, reduces traffic congestion, and helps lower environmental impact by making public transportation a viable alternative to private vehicles. In all weather conditions and at all hours, transit workers show dedication and resilience, often serving as the backbone of urban mobility systems.

This is why observances like Thank Your Transit Worker Day are so important. They offer a moment for communities to acknowledge and appreciate the essential services transit workers provide. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in recognizing the challenges they face, including long shifts, public-facing responsibilities, and the pressure of maintaining strict schedules. Celebrating this day not only boosts morale among transit staff but also raises public awareness about the value of public transportation and the people who keep it running.

“We Move This City!!”

ATU 583 Thank Your Transit Worker Day – Contest Winners

Winners of the paid day off:
Mike B. – Maintenance
Chris Martens – Office
Glenn Dyler – Operations
Dennis G. – Operations
Todd Punsalan – Operations

Winners of $50 Gift Cards
Red Lobster:
Christine Szerencsei – Operations
Ceraphin Amecia – Operations
Stephen Fiwchuk – Operations
Philip May -Maintenance
Raymond Cadrin – Maintenance

Boston Pizza:
Vince Yu – Operations
Peter Gerges – Office
Mike Rama – Operations
Barry Hides – Maintenance
Mukesh Phull – Office
Ritesh Bhatia – Operations
Andrea Black – Operations

Ultimate Dining:
Colin Moore – Operations
Ming Liu – Operations
Evan Hart – Maintenance
Attia B. – Office
Lonney Thompson – Maintenance
Tom Huo – Operations
Reagan Accad – Maintenance
Baljinder Bains – – Operations

Congratulations to all of the winners!!

International Women’s Day 2026

International Women’s Day holds particular importance in Canada as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality. It highlights the achievements of women across social, political, and economic spheres while drawing attention to persistent issues such as the gender pay gap, under-representation in leadership, and workplace discrimination. In a country that often prides itself on inclusivity and human rights, this day serves as a moment to reflect critically on where systems still fall short, especially for Indigenous women and other women of colour, and those in precarious employment. It reinforces the idea that equality is not guaranteed simply by law, but must be actively upheld and advanced through collective awareness and action.

The connection between International Women’s Day and unionism in Canada is deeply rooted in the fight for fair and equitable workplaces. Labour unions have historically played a key role in advocating for policies that help to ensure workplaces are more equitable for women, such as pay equity legislation, maternity and parental leave, safer working conditions, and protections against harassment. Union movements provide a collective voice that empowers women workers to challenge systemic inequalities and negotiate better conditions. In this sense, International Women’s Day is not just symbolic, it aligns closely with the ongoing work of unions to dismantle barriers in the workplace, emphasizing that gender equality is inseparable from broader labour rights and social justice movements.

This month we also spoke to two of the women who represent our union via blog posts on our website: atu583.com/blog.

We are very proud of the women in our union and we will continue to fight for the equitable rights of ALL employees regardless of gender.

Mental Health

Mental health matters for all of us, but it hits a little closer to home in transit work. This job asks a lot. You are focused on safety, dealing with traffic, staying on schedule, and interacting with all kinds of people throughout your shift.

Some days run smoothly, and some really do not. Over time, that kind of pressure can build up. Taking mental health seriously is not about being soft. It is about staying sharp, steady, and able to handle whatever the day throws at you.
Stress is part of the job, no question. Whether it is a tough passenger, a delay that throws everything off, or just the grind of day-to-day, it adds up. It’s easy to brush it off and keep going, but that only works for so long. Ignoring stress can lead to burnout, frustration, and even impact how we show up at work and at home. Talking about it, even in simple ways, helps take some of that weight off and reminds us that no one is dealing with it alone.

Looking out for each other goes a long way in this line of work. A quick check in, a bit of patience, or having someone’s back on a rough day can make a real difference. At the same time, taking care of yourself matters just as much. That could mean getting proper rest, taking your breaks when you can, or reaching out if things start to feel like too much. Small steps add up. When we make mental health a priority, we help keep ourselves and our circles (whether that be family, friends or co-workers) strong, focused, and ready for the road ahead.

Meetings with Councillors

Recently ATU 583 President, Mike Mahar, has been meeting with City Councillors in regards to Transit support and the Greenline. These meetings have focused heavily on the building and operation of the Greenline and ensuring our Members will be the ones to do these jobs.

So far, a meeting with Ward 4 Councillor – DJ Kelly has occurred as well as one with Ward 5 Councillor Raj Dhaliwal. We have two upcoming meetings as well with Ward 3 Councillor – Andrew Yule and Ward 10 Councillor – Andre Chabot.

Other meetings are in the works and we will continue to advocate for our Members to be the ones doing these very important jobs. We believe our Members are not only the most qualified but will also do the jobs with safety at the forefront. We will continue to advocate for that.

Proposed Bylaw Change from the Floor

A Proposed Bylaw Change from the Floor was brought forward and discussed at our March 2026 Regular Membership Meeting. The proposed change revolved around adding another Officer position, specifically an Assistant Business Agent for the Maintenance area.

The April 2026 Regular Meetings saw a second reading, a full discussion and a vote.

As a result of the vote, the Bylaw Change Proposal was not passed.

Officers will continue to look at the best ways for representation needs to be met for all areas.

E-Transfers and Dues – Important Reminder

If you are paying dues via E-Transfer to the Local please ensure you are including your full name and email address in the note. We have received a couple deposits with no information, and due to privacy laws, the bank the deposit came from cannot provide us with enough information for us to be sure who sent those payments in. As a result, that payment is not assigned to anyone’s file. This is problematic not only for the Local and our audits but also for the Member who paid their dues as we are unable to update their ledger for the year without a name to assign it to.

We understand errors happen, so if you ever forget to add this information or you are just note sure if you did, please give us a call ASAP after the payment is made to let us know.

FYI:

We will be having a rally on May 4th at the Court House (marching to City Hall) to protest violence against our Members and to support the Member who was viciously assaulted last year while the court sentences his assailants.

The Nagar Kirtan Parade is May 9th at Westwinds Park. We will have a tent there and will be giving away snacks and drinks. Be sure to come down and join the atmosphere of community!

COPE 397 /jw