My commitment to you and your family

Dear Colleagues,

We lost one of our family members on Friday when Peter Pavlovski was tragically killed on the subway tracks just north of Yorkdale Station.

Peter was a husband, father, son, brother and uncle; he was a family man. Yesterday, Peter’s family issued a public statement thanking all who have provided comfort and support to them during this unbelievably difficult time. I want to echo that thanks to those who have reached out to Peter’s family. Many of you knew Peter and have spoken very highly of him in conversations I’ve had with many of you.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: a visitation tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Heritage Funeral Centre (50 Overlea Blvd.). The funeral service is this Wednesday at St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Cathedral (76 Overlea Blvd.) at 10 a.m.

A trust fund has been established for Peter’s children. Donations can be made at any branch of the CIBC in the Greater Toronto Area in the name of Toronto Transit Commission – In Trust For Peter Pavlovski. When making donations, advise the branch it’s a third party deposit (or donation) to account no. 00212/70-35519.

Support

As you know, two other employees were injured on Friday. Both are expected to make a full recovery from their injuries, which is very fortunate, but the trauma of such an incident can be long term. Our ongoing thoughts and prayers are with them and their families, and I have been in touch with both employees to offer them every support.

The TTC is making available any and all counseling needed to Peter’s family, as well as to Peter’s co-workers and their families through our Employee and Family Assistance Program. I would encourage anyone who has been touched by this tragedy to avail themselves of this service. You may not need it today, but know it’s always available to you if, and when, you would like to talk to someone.

Investigation

The TTC will leave no stone unturned in understanding what happened last Friday. There are three investigations occurring: a Joint Health and Safety Committee investigation as mandated by legislation; a Ministry of Labour investigation; and an internal TTC investigation. It will be several months before we know the results of any of these investigations. While we are all anxious to understand what happened that led to this tragedy, it’s important that we await their findings and not speculate. We must all learn from this, and we will.

The TTC, of course, will co-operate with these investigations. It is paramount that we, as a company, understand what happened to ensure it never happens again.

Safety

I want to stress to each of you – and your families – the absolute importance the TTC places on safety, for both the public and its customers, but also for you. Workplace fatalities are extremely rare at the TTC, but when tragedy strikes we make all resources available to understand the cause and what we need to do to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

Our Work Safe-Home Safe program was, and is, designed to send you home in the same condition in which you reported for work: healthy. When that doesn’t happen, regardless of the circumstances, we need to understand why. The TTC has a number of workplace practices and protocols in place to protect employees. Track level can be a dangerous place in which to work, and that is why we have such strict rules in place to protect us.

A Sincere Thanks

I visited Peter’s family on Saturday and did so again today. A senior staff member was at Peter’s house on Friday and throughout the weekend. As I said, we will provide the help they need to help get through this very difficult time.

I want to sincerely thank those of you who were involved in, and responded to, the incident last Friday. Rail Infrastructure employees, Transit Control Centre employees, and all of our frontline were either on scene or worked to ensure our customers were kept informed and got to where they needed to go.

I will keep you apprised as the investigations progress and get accurate information to you in a timely way; that is my commitment to you. Thank you all for your professionalism throughout this difficult period. Certainly, Peter’s family appreciates the support you’ve provided them, as do I and everyone who knew and worked with Peter.

Andy Byford
Chief Executive Officer
September 17, 2012