How on earth is it possible that 21 token collectors and 62 bus, streetcar and subway drivers earned over $100,000 last year and made it on something called “The Sunshine List” which is a list of city employees who earn over $100,000/year? In total 588 TTC employees earn over $100,000. I appreciate that they are obviously hard working people, but let’s be realistic; they are not discovering the cure for cancer. Many executives with post graduate degrees are not making that kind of money. The maximum base salary for station collectors and operators is $60,000. There is something seriously wrong with the TTC when employees are earning $40,000 in overtime. The TTC is clearly out of control. They have a massive problem with absenteeism and they are paying out ridiculous overtime payments. In 2008 workers off the job cost the TTC $5 million and compensation claims are rising exponentially. This year the TTC is planning to spend $5 million to hire about 950 drivers in addition to cleaners and maintenance workers.

Incredible as it seems, there are 1,500 city employees who are on The Sunshine List – 1,150 have base salaries over $100,000 and the others reached the mark by adding to their base salaries with overtime and other payments. Half of the City of Toronto’s budget goes to salaries and after looking at these figures, it is no surprise. Guess who is paying for all of this nonsense? You and I are paying with our tax dollars. I don’t know about you, but I feel royally ripped off.