TTC wins fight to display badge numbers

Union argues practice leaves drivers vulnerable

The union representing TTC workers has lost a bid to stop the transit agency from displaying drivers’ employee ID numbers on its buses.

The TTC began showing operators’ badge numbers on interior vehicle display screens in 2018. In response, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 filed a grievance arguing that making the numbers visible to anyone on-board leaves operators vulnerable to harassment and identity theft. The union also argued the policy violates bus drivers’ privacy.

The transit agency denied those claims, and countered that publicly displaying the badge numbers of its 5,200 bus operators improves customer service by making it easier for riders to provide feedback about its drivers. The TTC claimed that in opposing the policy, Local 113 was trying to make it harder for passengers to lodge complaints.

In a decision dated Jan. 18, arbitrator Lorne Slotnick dismissed the union’s grievance, determining operators’ fears were “unfounded.”

Local 113 president Carlos Santos said the union was “disappointed” by the decision. “Our union will continue to stand up for member’s rights, including the right to privacy,” he said in a statement.

The TTC began displaying drivers’ badge numbers on screens mounted on the ceilings of buses when it rolled out a new communication system three years ago. The badge number is shown in the format of “OP ID #12345,” along with information like the next stop and route detours.

For decades before that, operators displayed their numbers on patches or badges they wore to work, but the agency stopped giving out numbers to be shown on uniform blazers in 2013. Employees are still obligated to divulge their ID number if a rider asks for it.

In his decision, Slotnick noted that badge numbers have a special importance at the TTC. They’re assigned sequentially and never reused, so anyone familiar with the system can use the number to determine an employee’s seniority and approximate start date. Some work assignments are determined by seniority, so if more than one operator signs up for a preferred shift, it goes to the employee with the lowest badge number. In that sense, the numbers denote a worker’s status at the organization.

TTC employees also need to supply their badge numbers when dealing with the company’s payroll department and benefits provider. A union board member testified that to transit workers, giving someone their badge number feels like telling the person their name. The TTC argued that a badge number alone isn’t sufficient to access workers’ information because the agency’s employee portal is passwordprotected. TTC spokesperson Stuart Green told the Star the policy was no different than a police officer or restaurant worker wearing a name tag.

“Notwithstanding the union’s position, there has not been widespread concern expressed among bus operators,” he said.

The TTC said displaying badge numbers allows it to more efficiently process complaints or compliments from customers, because passengers often provide inaccurate information about the time or location of an incident, making it difficult to track down the employee involved. According to testimony at arbitration, each of the TTC’s seven bus divisions can receive about 15 to 20 complaints a day.

There’s no evidence harassment or identity theft has gotten worse since the TTC instituted the policy, and arbitrator Slotnick said he was not convinced by the union’s argument it could increase those risks. “A badge number alone, without a name or other information attached, is useless,” he wrote.

He also concluded the numbers don’t constitute personal information as defined by privacy legislation. Although Slotnick dismissed the grievance, he noted that harassment or assault of TTC workers is a serious problem, and drivers’ concerns appeared to be “sincerely held.” He suggested the union and management develop a new system that would give riders enough information to provide accurate feedback but not divulge badge numbers.

The union is urging the TTC to follow that recommendation, but Green said management has no intention of scrapping the policy. The TTC plans to start displaying streetcar operators’ numbers as it upgrades those vehicles’ communication systems, and will consider incorporating the feature in its next purchase of subway cars.

“Our union will continue to stand up for member’s rights.”

CARLOS SANTOS

UNION LOCAL 113 PRESIDENT