Second assault on TTC operator leads union to call for full security audit

Sep 28 2017, 1:09 am

An unprovoked assault on a transit worker this Tuesday has left the TTC operator temporarily blinded with serious injuries to his face. As a result, his union is calling for a review of the safety conditions of all TTC terminals.

“The TTC should do an immediate safety audit of their subway stations and bus platforms to eliminate blind spots,” Kevin Morton, the ATU Local 113’s Secretary- Treasurer, told Daily Hive over the phone.

“We need better lighting and mirrors.”

According to a statement, released by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, the operator, who has not been identified publicly, was taking a break in Eglinton Station when the attack occurred.

An unknown assailant approached the worker, in a restricted area, unseen, and used a “homemade pepper spray substance” to blind him. He was then struck twice before the perpetrator fled.

This is the second incident sustained by this particular driver at Eglinton Station this month, and is the third he has endured in the past two years. Previously, he has been threatened with a gun and assaulted with a knife.

Morton lays the blame on the ongoing construction projects, which he says do not take the operator’s security into account. Major modifications being made have compromised the systems put into place to protect drivers.

“When it comes to worker safety, the TTC is falling short. Toronto’s transit workers deserve better and the TTC needs to make safety improvements now.”

“We’re no even on their radar.”

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