TTC warns employees not to sleep on the job

TTC employees are being warned not to sleep on the job and to “be alert” in anticipation of a possible tour of the system by Mayor Rob Ford.

The warning was sent out to ticket collectors by TTC management in the form of a phone message Monday night through the Commission’s broadcast mail system.

It states that Mr. Ford’s office has received a report about employees sleeping on the job, and encourages ticket collectors to simply stay awake and do their jobs.

“It was a reminder to everyone to do their jobs, to be courteous and professional,” said TTC spokesman Brad Ross. “The intent of the message was generic … it’s really that simple.

“Whether you’re a collector, work in a maintenance yard, or in an office, the expectation of TTC management is that you do your job.”

Mr. Ross stressed that the message was not prompted by any specific allegations of employees sleeping on the job. The message was intended for employees working later shifts, he said.

Bob Kinnear, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, said employees have “nothing to worry about” and encouraged the mayor to make a trip through the system.

“We would like Mr. Ford to get on the system and see the real problems people who ride transit are facing,” Mr. Kinnear said. “I don’t think he’s got a lot of experience on public transit.”

As for his impressions of the message, Mr. Kinnear said: “Obviously the company is concerned about something, because it’s the company that put out the message. We’re not worried about it.”

It’s not clear when or if Mr. Ford will be touring the TTC.

In January 2010, a TTC ticket collector became the subject of an internal investigation after a rider snapped a photo of him sleeping on the job. The photo went viral when posted to the Internet and prompted a string of bad publicity for the Commission.