Friday, April 18, 2008
STRIKE !
Well, it looks like we will be on strike come Monday morning at 4:00am if we do not have an agreement by 4:00pm Sunday. It's unfortunate we have to play these silly games to try and manipulate the other side. Both sides are equally guilty of this. It's almost like this thing has a life of it's own and is on automatic pilot or something. I have a funny feeling we will have a contract before the deadline. Why does it take a threat to get the other side to do something? It's like let's not fix the thing until it's broke. Haven't they heard of preventative medicine? I think the only thing the public really cares about is getting to work or school or wherever they are going and being able to afford the ride. They really couldn't give a rip what we are paid or what benefits we have as Long as the service is working. Do you blame them? I don't. If I wasn't involved, I wouldn't give a rip either. I think if we do go out, it may be good in that the upper levels of government will have to do something. Either come up with more subsidy or perhaps make us an essential service? Let's hope so. Then the threats can stop and we can get on with our business.
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6 comments:
I noticed that "strike" was looming in the news the last day or two.
I must confess, I get quite cynical of all the speeches by union leaders and management, each portraying themselves as martyrs who are trying to be reasonable, but the other side just doesn't want to work it out.
That's not just TTC. I respond that way to all of them. It does seem like a game, like you said.
I hope you don't go on strike.
Me either Patti. As I've said before, strikes are dumb and don't do anybody any good. Dalton Macginty said nobody has even asked him to make TTC an essential service, which would remove the right to strike. It sounded like he is open to the idea and even made a comment that TTC WAS an essential service, which it really is. I think that is the answer. Is anybody listening?
I am, I am - I'm listening to you dougie. I just can't do anything prudent to help you out.
In my line of work, I am an essential service - I do wish that I could strike sometimes. My first contract was achieved after 17 months of negotiation, which ended only after both sides agreed to binding arbitration. Can you imagine how quickly a strike would have been resolved in my field?!
Then again - we got a contract without our last one expiring - that was a pleasant surprise!
TTC is essential for many of us here in the city. Walking, biking even GO transit is not an option. There is no alternative for those of us who cannot drive due to restrictive gas and insurance prices. So do I want the TTC to be an essential service? You betcha! In retrospect this should have happened the last time the TTC went on strike, but as always the public easiy forgets about all of this when everything is fine and there is no strike on the horizon.
A strike by the TTC is financially crippling to the city. Both myself and Kim rely on it, as many do. WIth out it we cannot afford to go to work, or even church.
So yea, I hope the strike is avoided, these silly games played by both sides really don't bennfit any of us.
I hope you don't have to strike.
Dan, the best thing you can do is call your city counsellor and tell him/her what you want. The sqeaky wheel gets the grease. The more people voice their disapproval of strike action and demand their politicians to remedy the situation, the sooner and more likely they are to act upon it. If nobody complains, they will assume everybody is ok with it and they won't do anything.
TLC.... you are listening! That is very prudent help. Thanks sis.
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