“At those times of a heightened situation, I do admit that the relationship [was] extremely strained. There’s no substitute for that word,” he said.<\/p>\n
But it wasn’t just bargaining. Alfred also mentioned \u201ca general malaise\u201d stemming from issues around scheduling, working conditions and the state of repair of the transit system.<\/p>\n
“Culture and morale did take a hit\u201d during Leary’s tenure, he said.<\/p>\n
![\"Marvin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778142733_421_default.jpg\")
Marvin Alfred, president of Toronto transit union ATU Local 113, said morale took a hit at the TTC under Leary’s leadership. (Martin Trainor\/CBC)<\/p>\n
Alfred said his members felt alienated, disheartened and ignored under Leary\u2019s leadership. He said they didn\u2019t feel management was listening when they flagged issues, including on maintenance and safety.<\/p>\n
He said disputes were tough to resolve and instead \u201cwent to grievances all the time.\u201d He said his union faced a steep rise in legal costs from the constant fights against management.<\/p>\n
It was \u201cinteresting,\u201d Alfred said, that OC Transpo would hire Leary for the top job.<\/p>\n
Leary promises to work closely with unions<\/p>\n
CBC put those concerns to Leary, who responded with a statement promising to foster \u201ca strong, collaborative environment grounded in respect, transparency, and accountability\u201d at OC Transpo.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am committed to working closely with labour representatives through an open and ongoing dialogue,” he said. <\/p>\n
He said it\u2019s important that employees feel heard and supported. He said frontline staff \u201cbring critical insight into the day-to-day realities of the system.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI am focused on creating consistent opportunities for them to raise concerns, share ideas, and help shape improvements,” Leary said. “Strengthening internal communication, reinforcing a culture of safety, and supporting our workforce are key priorities.”<\/p>\n
But Leary didn’t directly address Alfred’s account of the relationship. And the ATU 113 chief isn’t alone in his concerns. <\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778142734_245_default.jpg\")
Leary is seen here speaking at a press conference alongside Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto Transit Commission chair Coun. Jamaal Myers. Leary headed up the TTC from 2017 until 2024. (Alex Lupul\/CBC)’There were no clear expectations’<\/p>\n
Dariusz Nowotny previously served as interim president CUPE 5089, which represents TTC special constables and fare inspectors. He was in union positions from 2018 to 2024, and he too noted a spike in the number of grievances during Leary\u2019s tenure.<\/p>\n
Nowotny said it was typical to see four or five grievances per year under the CEO that preceded Leary. That \u201cincreased dramatically\u201d after Leary took over, he said, reaching 29 in 2021 and 28 in 2022 for a union local of roughly 200 members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some of the grievances related to COVID-19 and vaccinations, though Nowotny said many didn’t and the upward trend began before the pandemic.<\/p>\n
He said morale under Leary\u2019s leadership was \u201cvery bad\u201d and the turnover rate was \u201cextremely high.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were afraid to do the work, because they didn\u2019t know what was expected of them,\u201d he said. \u201cThere were no clear expectations about what they were allowed to enforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778142734_908_default.jpg\")
Prior to his tenure at the TTC, Leary worked in senior roles at York Region Transit and at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority in the Boston area, pictured here. (Felix Desroches\/CBC)<\/p>\n
Nowotny said there was a change in approach that frustrated his members, as management shifted from an enforcement to a \u201ccustomer service\u201d mentality. <\/p>\n
In his view, management limited the ability of special constables to make arrests.<\/p>\n
He called the move to hire Leary as the head of OC Transpo \u201ca poor decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe the city manager should have done a little bit more homework,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ottawa union head keeping an open mind<\/p>\n
Nowotny said one issue above all others ruined the relationship: the firing of two TTC special constables<\/a> following an investigation by Rubin Thomlinson LLP that said they used \u201cunnecessary force” to subdue a man on the 501 Queen streetcar in 2020.\u00a0<\/p>\n The union defended the special constables, saying they were cleared of any wrongdoing by Toronto police. <\/p>\n Nowotny said the resulting fight essentially bankrupted the union local.<\/p>\n Despite that history, Vineberg said he believes in \u201csecond chances\u201d and says he\u2019s trying to come into the relationship with an open mind. <\/p>\n