Strike them DOWN!
I’ve worked all my life and never had the luxury of a sick day. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. Or, I have to make up the time missed. I’ve rarely missed a day of work, partially because of this. My type of work also doesn’t grant me holiday pay: I go on holiday, I don’t make money.
So fuck the Toronto unions who are bitching about not being allowed to bank their sick days. If I’m not mistaken, these workers aren’t losing their sick days–on top of paid holidays. No, they’re being asked to not be able to bank those sick days so that they can retire early or have certain extended vacations. Fuck them. If I’m not mistaken, I believe those who have already accummulated a certain number of sick days woud not lose them.
As much as I despise the union, I also despise the City Council, since they awarded themselves a pay raise recently, which the union will use against them. Fuckers all around. On a final note, since the union is now in a position to strike, does that mean the city is in a position to fire anyone who does not like the changes that would reflect the realities of today?
June 24th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I am one of the striking workers. I am not in agreement of banking sick days and feel that is the sign of senior employees rather than newer employees. What I do feel strongly about is how. in a recession, our workloads have doubled, no negotiations were made for 6 months and that many feel we are all sitting in a cushy job. Let me dispel such myths. We are now working under a management system that just wants to collect stats. (and stats as we all know are only as good as those who interpret anc collect them…. let me stat categorically they do not state the reall work eing done by those in the welfare sector.) we have not enough equal workloads. and the longer periods of seniority one has entitles them to do less and get away with it. Not only that, when certain “stats” are reached who gets bonuses? Management (who don’t even know how to work the computer systems we have, and aren’t required to). I don’t think a raise is too much to ak for after 3 years, and certaintly not in the current evonomic times with a Miller system of Welfare that has gotten out of control by items such as “special diet” that have been mentioned on this blog before whereby certain doctors are giving entire families (without them having to show receipts for the food they’re buying, unlike every other benefit they get ie: hydro, rent etc..). I
I have nothing against welfare, it is a safety net for those who need it. But what hasbecome thenorm is that those whon eed it are too embarassedto ask for it, and many others are generationally “playing th system.” Should I take a pay cut for that? too bad miller hasn’t answered those uncormfortable questions or shown a budget.
I am sick of seeing managers at the end of the year buying new furniture (to finsih all budgets) and watching politicians make blunders with tax money - my tax money- ie” E-health the councillors of the city of toronto getting bonuses and as one of the “worker ants who does their job, I am expected to stand aside. watch benefits be taken away from me, and not to expect a salary increase that even includes a fair standard of living.
I know many are going to respond, not in king to this email. But I have also workerd provate sector and have then at least gained a well deserved bonus every one in a while, instead of watching the 100,000 and 1 million dollar clubs rise for less work than I do.
June 25th, 2009 at 1:54 am
I understand what you are saying FunkyMe, and to a degree, I’m all with you.
Management in the public sector has gone out of control, as shown by all the recent scandals exposed by the Toronto Star. I also have no doubt that workers such as yourself work twice as hard as their manager, with little added benefits… and yes, it is a fair expectation to get a raise regularly, especially when the work load increases.
However, I don’t necessarily believe that all this justifies the workers walking out of their job, leaving the whole city in limbo because of their demands.
There are numerous people in the city who work for much less pay and no benefits and never complain. Should they? Yes, probably. But my point is I have little sympathy for workers who do make a decent living and who seem to have no regards for the impact their strike is having on the people of Toronto. If your job is to pick up the garbage, it’s one thing to go on strike, but it’s another to block access to designated areas where people are expected to drop their garbage during the strike. No one in the public should have to line up for hours to get access to it. We all have our own job to go to, and these workers are gaining no sympathy.
We are at the end of the school year and parents suddenly find themselves without daycare. Many have planned summer camps for their children and all that careful planning is on hold. So, FunkyMe, as much as I would like to say I sympathize and hope your demands are met, I can’t. I work hard for my living and I get no benefits. Many of my friends work two jobs to make ends meet, they do crappy work that no one wants… and I’ve never heard them complain in the 11 years I’ve known them.
The more pressing issue in my opinion is to keep all these managers under control to make sure they don’t abuse the system.
I’m running out of time so I have to leave it at that for now…
June 25th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Lily,
I agree with you on every single point you made. Especially to put EVERYONE in limbo re: day care, daycamps, ang blocking garbage sites - those people should be “dealth with” when they get back to work.
I agree about all the others who work with no benefits, or ned to do 1+ jobs “just to make ends meet. I actually read (i tihnk in the star and if i find the article i’ll post it , that many are thinking this was all “set up” by miller et al… and I wouldn’t doubt that either.
Keeping “managers in control” in the current environment “miller” has left unattended. depending on what welfare office you go to makes a difference on the kind of treatment that both employee and clients will receive.
When a system is based on seniority NOTHING good can come of it because that is who the union and management caters to. They dont want “greivances” on their file. forget the work, it’s ALL politics.
Once again Ms Lily, we are on the same page. It’s frustrating for everyone, and being without kids, I can’t say, I understand how frustrating your end, or that of your friends is, nor can i say I underrstand having “no benefits.” All i will say is that miller is keeping a tight rein on the true budget/ overbuget of welfare and THAT should be the main story.
FunkyMe
June 25th, 2009 at 11:41 am
i forgot to mention one more item, for the amount of $$ both the union and the city are paying out to outside PR people, and stating @ first rate hotels to continually have press conferences that are very expensive - those funds could have settled this strike.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Yes, and the cost of having press conferences at first class hotels is something that people don’t even think about. Good point!
June 26th, 2009 at 3:12 am
Nice talking with you lily, despite all my spelling mistakes (i gues my typing skills went “on strike” as well ….. knowing people in the “media consulting business 1 press conference (with an antecedent room, food, media feed, not to mention the union people and gov’t people staying there in their own rooms - being paid for by the taxpayer) is over (minimum) $30,000. They;re practically having them ongoing with the same blather, I’m sure they’re also making use of persk such as room service (no outside catering) and getting their clothese cleaned….. the whole thing is sickening and I hate to “be a part of it”. especially when you look @ the cost for tourism (canada day events being cancelled, the pride parade/ festivities having to kick in extra for outside garbage workers)… it’s a sad thing. The focus still remains on Garbage, and Welfare hasn;t even been mentioned. It seems our “Miller boy” is too interested in projects he can’t get funded (aka new streetcars) than the real problems that have shut down a city and incovenienced everyone.
June 26th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I agree FunkeMe, all this is shameful. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of the strike will be, and how long it will last.
I am about to go on vacation, so I may not be able to comment on this site during that time. I’ll try to squeeze in a couple more thoughts during the weekend. If I can’t,
I’ll make sure to check in when I get back.
So, FunkyMe… good luck. I hope you’ll get some benefits for your hard work at the end of this strike.
RR, it looks like you left town too! You mentioned being very busy so I hope your schedule will get back to normal soon. I look forward to your new blogs when I return.
June 26th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
No, I haven’t left town, Lily. I’ve just been swamped and am essentially doing two and a half to three full-time jobs. I AM reading your and FunkyMe’s exchanges and have appreciated and enjoyed them. I wanted to comment but did not have much to add, especially since FunkyMe is providing an invaluable “insider’s” perspective. I’ll be back, around, and writing, so I hope you’ll get a chance to post as well, before your holiday (and after of course; I won’t go so far as to expect any during your vacation!).
June 27th, 2009 at 11:35 am
So now I’ve officially been on Strike with Cupe Local 79 - Which handles Welfar (social services) and I get on the internet to see this on the Toronto Star Website:Will gifts smooth over streetcar spat?
SUPPLIED PICTURE
“Toronto Streetcar,” a print by Toronto artist Ingrid Hunt, now graces John Baird’s Parliament Hill office. Column: Those f—ing Tories Miller goes all in: High stakes in streetcar game Top Tory curses Toronto Baird to Toronto: Sorry Green light for Red Rocket Everybody got what they wanted out of yesterday’s special meeting of Toronto City Council.Exchange between mayor, federal minister helps ease tension over transit funding flap
Jun 27, 2009 04:30 AM
Linda Diebel National Affairs Writer
It was cheeky, heartfelt and may have helped save a relationship – the perfect gift from Toronto Mayor David Miller to federal Infrastructure Minister John Baird.
Miller signed a lovely little print, entitled “Toronto Streetcar,” and gave it to Baird at a Whistler, B.C., conference in early June, in the middle of their dogfight over whether Ottawa would commit more than $300 million in stimulus cash towards a $1.2 billion project to build streetcars for the city.
After failing to obtain federal funding, the mayor got approval at a special city council meeting yesterday to double the city’s investment in the streetcars to about $800 million.
“We were having a little fun with John,” Miller said yesterday of the print.
Yet the gift came from Miller’s heart because of his love for all things that run on rails.
The day after the gift giving, Baird dismissed Toronto’s request for funding with an overheard “f—off” that – later and in a more appropriate fashion – proved to be Ottawa’s final decision.
Baird’s quick action in apologizing for what he now calls “the incident” smoothed things over. The print by Toronto artist Ingrid Hunt, now gracing Baird’s Parliament Hill office, didn’t hurt.
“To my friend, John Baird,” reads an inscription Miller says he means. They are friends. “John and I have a good relationship,” he said, in a telephone interview. “I knew it was nothing personal.”
Baird did more than jump to the phone. A few days later, he dispatched his own gift to Miller, a pair of rhodium-plated cufflinks embossed with the Canadian Coat of Arms.
Miller interpreted the cufflinks (”they’re beautiful”) as a “peace offering.”
“They were definitely a peace offering,” Baird agreed yesterday, on the line from a Brampton event. “I like David; he’s very gracious … Besides, I can separate the politics from the personalities. … Life is too short to (do anything else).”
Baird enthuses about Toronto. “I love the city. … So alive, so vibrant, with its liveable downtown and dynamic, exciting feeling.”
The money issue with Ottawa apparently has been sorted out.
Miller says Baird held out “an olive branch” to Toronto by stressing that, while the streetcar proposal didn’t meet federal requirements, the city should apply for other stimulus funding.The gifts pleased both men – after all, it’s the thought that counts. Only a reporter would be tacky enough to check out retail prices.
“Toronto Streetcar” is listed at the artist’s website for $650. The parliamentary gift shop advertises the cufflinks online for $49.99.
Miller must wait to show off his gift. He has no shirts with link cuffs, but plans to buy one. “I guess that’s the typical Ottawa way: you have to pay something to get anything,” he joked. “It’s called downloading.”
___________________________________________________________________
isn’t gift giving illegal? we can’t afford welfare or garbage collections, but we can “play politics - on a big budget with olive brances included” (taxpayers moeny aside, on streetcars in the future? where are the priorities?? is this the same “Miller” who on the 100 anniversary of Toronto earlier this year praised, recognized and all but had a love in with the social service sector @ Metro Hall? I gues he and his side-kick the deputy mayor can put on a great act when they need to. Too bad they don’t realize it’s NOW.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Moe suffer and more City $$$$ down the drain:
STRIKE DIGEST
TheStar.com | GTA | Meeting costs $20,000, farmers losing out
STRIKE DIGEST
TheStar.com | GTA | Meeting costs $20,000, farmers losing out
Meeting costs $20,000, farmers losing out
RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO
Angelos Kapeleris runs Country Meadow Organics and is seen with his famed Heirloom tomatoes at the Riverdale organic farmers market. Email story
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CUPE’s view Councillor’s view Sick pay dicey issue for walkout Editorial: Roll back council pay raise Bad timing has caused strike How can Miller cry poor?
The decision to move yesterday’s special city council meeting to a basement room in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will cost taxpayers $20,000.
“That’s for everything, from the room rental to the audiovisual setup,” said city spokesman Rob Andrusevich. “We’ve essentially replicated some of the functionality we would have in the council chamber.”
Andrusevich defended the rental and its cost, saying it ensured the public had access to the meeting. Judging from those in attendance, most were either politicians from Ottawa, lobbyists for Bombardier, or city staffers.
The move meant that many left-leaning councillors, who have not set foot inside City Hall since the strike began, did not have to cross picket lines. Right-wing councillors, who wanted the meeting held at City Hall and had threatened to boycott, did attend.
With Ontario growers complaining about farmers’ markets being shut down, union officials issued a news release yesterday calling on the city to keep them open.
“It was not our decision to close these spaces to the farmers’ markets,” said Ann Dembinski, president of CUPE Local 79.
City spokesman Kevin Sack said this is not possible, citing personnel shortages. “If you don’t have the staff to support events, you can’t have them,” he said.
Some farmers’ markets, such as the one at Wychwood Barns, are going ahead despite needing city permits, though the two biggest ones, at City Hall and Metro Hall, were cancelled this week.
“That’s for everything, from the room rental to the audiovisual setup,” said city spokesman Rob Andrusevich. “We’ve essentially replicated some of the functionality we would have in the council chamber.”
Andrusevich defended the rental and its cost, saying it ensured the public had access to the meeting. Judging from those in attendance, most were either politicians from Ottawa, lobbyists for Bombardier, or city staffers.
The move meant that many left-leaning councillors, who have not set foot inside City Hall since the strike began, did not have to cross picket lines. Right-wing councillors, who wanted the meeting held at City Hall and had threatened to boycott, did attend.
With Ontario growers complaining about farmers’ markets being shut down, union officials issued a news release yesterday calling on the city to keep them open.
“It was not our decision to close these spaces to the farmers’ markets,” said Ann Dembinski, president of CUPE Local 79.
City spokesman Kevin Sack said this is not possible, citing personnel shortages. “If you don’t have the staff to support events, you can’t have them,” he said.
Some farmers’ markets, such as the one at Wychwood Barns, are going ahead despite needing city permits, though the two biggest ones, at City Hall and Metro Hall, were cancelled this week.
June 27th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Yet look at what CUPE 79 is saying (in addition to opting out of the Pride Parade due to the City hiring outside workers)
SOLIDARITY RALLY A HUGE SUCCESS!
Members of Locals 79 and 416 were joined today at Nathan Phillips Square by union sisters and brothers from all sectors of labour in a grand display of solidarity. Irene Harris, Vice-President of the OFL, brought a strong message of support before introducing Local 79 President Ann Dembinski and Mark Ferguson, President of Local 416.
In addition to our CUPE National President Paul Moist, who gave a rousing speech to the assembled crowd, union leaders representing the Toronto and York Region Labour Council, TTC workers, the Toronto Police Association, Toronto Firefighters, OPSEU, CAW, the Central Ontario Building Trades, Toronto Teachers, Steelworkers, Toronto Education Support workers and Unite Here were introduced on stage, as well as NDP MPP Peter Tabuns.
June 27th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I’m sick to my stomach. I hate Miller. I am a very green person, yet Miller could easily turn ME anti-green, just because of his arrogance and delusions of grandeur. MILLLLLLERRRRRRR!!!!
I’ll post more as a separate blog.
PS
Thank you again, FunkyMe for your contributions to this thread, especially in light of your “insider” status. And of course thank youLily for your contributions, as always.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:57 am
another thought. they are paying people $20 per day for a four hour walk in the sun. that’s not even minimum wage when you consider that all us “union peeps” pay more that $10 per cheque (including summer students) that comes right off our pay, we dont even see it… what’s up with that kind of “solidarity?