Bob Kinnear quits as head of TTC union local after bitter fight

Bob Kinnear has resigned as president of the union local that represents TTC workers after a bitter dispute with the U.S.-based parent of the union.

The executive board of Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 113, said in a news release that it has accepted the resignation. It is effective immediately.

"With this distraction behind us, we're now focused on what matters most — representing Toronto's hardworking transit workers," Kevin Morton, Secretary-Treasurer of ATU Local 113, said Friday.

"More united than ever, we're moving forward to fight the TTC's plans for alcohol and drug testing and to prepare for next year's important collective bargaining."

The executive board said an investigation by the Canadian Labour Congress, initiated by Kinnear, into relations between the local and its U.S.-based parent organization, ATU International, are over.

The board said it will assume leadership of the union in the wake of the resignation.

Brad Ross, spokesperson for the TTC, said customers should be reassured that the union dispute will have no effect on service.