Morning Brew: Battle over cellphone usage for TTC workers, universities crack down on student parties, York region police get a new toy, politicians skeptical of Ford Nation, and Leaf power play woes
The battle lines have been drawn between the TTC and the Toronto transit union when it comes to cellphone usage on the job. Bob Kinnear, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, has informed his membership that the mayor has launched a "bizarre" attack on workers who use cell phones at work, even firing those who use them on breaks or to call 911. Kinnear estimated that 40 to 50 workers have lost their jobs because of cell phone use. TTC spokesman Brad Ross denies workers have been fired for calling emergency services.
Party's over, kids. Canadian universities are cracking down on student parties on-campus. A $4,000 cleaning bill for an "out of control" residence party did it for the students at Ryerson. Student housing manager Chad Nuttall says Ryerson may implement community billing or remove guest privileges for students living on the damaged floor. U of T students were barred from a common room for several weeks after a night of debauchery left several smashed windows, a vomit-stained carpet and a broken door. Ryerson student Rebecca Zanussi calls the damage a "symptom" of student dissatisfaction with strict rules. More like, time to grow up.
Talk about bringing in the big guns. York Regional Police swat squad finally have their first armored truck, which is really an understatement. Fortress is more like it. And it's got a cool name too: Thunder 1. The $340,000 was a parting gift from former York police chief Armand La Barge. The truck actually doesn't carry weapons, but it has 12 gun ports for the heavily armed police inside who do.
Even if provincial politicians are skeptical of Ford Nation's ramifications, the political discussion panel over at the National Post wonder if the Rob Ford phenomenon has legs to spread across the nation.
IN BRIEF:
Photo by marty_pinker in the blogTO Flickr pool.
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