 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Local 113 & Transit Milestones 1861 to 1920 | ||
|
Transit in Toronto has had a long history. This Local has contributed immensely to that history by improving the quality of life of its membership, while at the same time giving Toronto a transit system it can be proud of. The benefits we have today, such as paid uniforms, vacation time, sick time, and the current pension plan, are with us because members fought tooth and nail for them - don't think for one moment they didn't. Some say unions have had their day; we say nonsense. The fight never ends! |
 |
|
|
1861
|
-Franchise to operate public Transportation in Toronto is granted to the Toronto Street Railway Company which establishes Cnanada's first Street Railway. Streetcars were horse drawn. | ||
|
|
|||
|
1886
|
-Transit strikes and rioting | ||
|
|
|||
|
1891
|
-After a four month attempt at municipal operation of the street railway. 30-year franchise awarded to the Toronto Railway Company (TRC). Operated by Canadian railway baron Wm. Mackenzie and associates. The TRC is required to electrify the system within 3 years. Fares are set at 5 cents cash or 25 tickets for $1.00. | ||
|
|
|||
|
1892
|
-International Union named "Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America." | ||
| - Starting wage for Motormen/Conductors is 15 cents per hour and remains unchanged for the next 10 years. All TRC cars have a crew of 2 (extra conductor if a trailer is used); The conductor is in charge of the car and responsible for collecting fares and enforcing Company by-laws, while the motorman (or Horse car driver) must operate the car in such a manner that all fares are collected before the next stop. | |||
| -Uniforms are introduced, paid for by operating employees. Company agrees to pay full cost 10 years later in concessions to union following the strike of 1902. | |||
| - First electric streetcar is operated on Church Street. Coal stoves are provided for heating on the new streetcars. | |||
| - Paper transfers first issued. | |||
|
|
|||
|
1893
|
-Employees' union is formed; Division 30 of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Railway Employees of America. Alarmed at the union's strength, the TRC created a parallel "company" union and pressured workers to join, resulting in Division 30's charter being withdrawn by the International Association. However, by 1899 most rank and file employees had rejoined the original union, a new charter was granted, and the right to collective bargaining recognized by the company. Charter No. 13 was requested in honour of the 13 men who formed the division. Alas, number "13" had been assigned to an American local in the intervening years and the Toronto union settled on Division 113 as it's name. | ||
|
|
|||
|
1894
|
-Last horse drawn is withdrawn from service. | ||
| -TRC adopts single end operation of streetcars (horse car fleet had been double-ended). | |||
|
|
|||
|
1895
|
|
||
| -TRC introduces the double-truck streetcar, built in it's own shops downtown at Front and Frederick Streets. | |||
|
|
|||
|
1897
|
-Sunday streetcar service is introduced after second public referendum passes. | ||
| -Carrying of bicycles is permitted on streetcars on payment of an extra fare. | |||
|
|
|||
|
1899
|
-Division 113 Chartered - Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America. | ||
|
|
|||
|
1901
|
-Last year Christmas turkeys are distributed free to all TRC employees. | ||
|
|
|||
|
1902
|
-The Term "Inspector" replaces "Roadmaster" which dates from 1891, in turn replacing "Timekeeper" used in horse car days pre-1891. | ||
| -Three day Transit Strike. | |||
|
|
|||
|
1903
|
-International Union renamed - Amalgamated Association of Street and Railway Employees of America | ||
|
|
|||
|
1905
|
-Air brakes first installed on Streetcars | ||
|
|
|||
|
1907
|
-TRC uses electric power generated at Niagara Falls. Power is received over the first transmission lines to reach Toronto. The Company's Front Street steam generating plant, in use since 1892, is placed on standby and then in reserve in 1914 when the second transmission line is completed to the city. | ||
|
|
|||
|
1910
|
-Smoking is prohibited on closed streetcars, but "tolerated" on the rear open platforms and permitted on the three rear seats of open streetcars. | ||
|
|
|||
|
1911
|
-Toronto Civic Railways (TCR) is established to provide municipally operated transit service to new areas of the City not served by the TRC. | ||
| -TCR opens Lansdowne Division. | |||
|
|
|||
|
1912
|
-TRC opens formal School of Instruction at 165 Front Street., replacing roving Board of Examiners of Motormen existing since 1906. | ||
|
|
|||
|
1913
|
-TCR opens St. Clair Division | ||
| -TRC opens the Russell Paint Shop a subdivision of the King Division. After a 1916 fire destorys the King Division, Russell becomes a storage yard. Then in 1921 becomes a full division of the new TTC. | |||
|
|
|||
|
1915
|
-The Ontario Railway and Municipal Board outlaws the use of open streetcars with running boards. | ||
| -TCR opens Danforth Division. | |||
|
|
|||
|
1919
|
-22 day Transit Strike | ||
|
|
|||
|
1920
|
-4 day Transit Strike | ||
|
|
|||
|
|
-Click here to see history from 1921 to 1958 | ||
