Today, International President Costa was on the ground in Toronto, ON, to tour and learn about the ATU and Centennial College’s battery electric bus (BEB) training. Costa was joined by ATU Canada President John Di Nino, ATU International Vice Presidents Jim Lindsay, Curtis Howard, Ray Greaves and Art Aguilar, all of them coming out of maintenance, as well as ATU staff. Throughout the day, the group learned about the training and the challenges and opportunities of battery electric buses, most importantly safety, and the democratization of innovation by involving workers and their expertise at the ground floor of these programs.
Presenters included Janna Erichsen, Chairperson of Part-time Learning at the School of Transportation, Glenville Singh, Professor of Truck/Coach at the school, Wenzi Ckurshumova, PhD, Associate Director of Research at the school, and Andrew Falotico, ATU’s Director of Health and Safety.
Next, the group took a tour of Centennial College’s School of Transportation including the engine diesel lab, the welding lab, and the hydraulic lab as well as visiting with ATU automotive technician apprentice members in class. “It’s my honor to welcome you to the ATU,” said President Costa. “You’re now a member of the greatest transportation union in North America. We’re a family.” The group also saw Bus of the Future work being done at the college, including safety barriers and blind spot reduction.
After the day’s training, Costa visited the Ontario Federation of Labour office to meet with OFL President Laura Walton, Secretary-Treasurer Ahmad Gaied and Executive Vice-President Jackie Taylor, as well as the Toronto and York Region Labour Council President Andria Babbington to discuss our members issues throughout Toronto and Ontario.