Every day, more and more members are coming out on the line!At least 250 people were at Thursday’s morning rally and lunch-time barbecue with CUPE Ontario. Spirits were very high, and we were NOISY!We were joined by members of many other unions:- Ryan …
Continue readingAuthor: allan
wmtc: from the front lines, day four
Every day, more and more members are coming out on the line!
At least 250 people were at Thursday’s morning rally and lunch-time barbecue with CUPE Ontario. Spirits were very high, and we were NOISY!
We were joined by members of many other unions:
– Ryan & Evan, CUPE 3902, University of Toronto
– Sandra & Tracey, CUPE 5167, City of Hamilton
– Sonia from CUPE 4914, Peel CAS
– Mary, CUPE 3904, Ryerson University
– Bhupinder & Inderdep, United Workers Canada
– Sandeep, NDP Brampton
– Fair Wages Brampton
– Jim McDowell, Peel Regional Labour Council
Our afternoon visit from National Treasurer Charles Fleury was a bit more subdued, but still important. Before coming to Celebration Square, Charles had visited our sisters and brothers in CUPE Local 2974, the Essex Public Library Workers, who are also on strike. He was delivering greetings of thanks and strength. He was also delivering our second $5,000 donation of the day!
And our brothers from CUPE 3902, University of Toronto, are sending a $2,000 donation. Pretty amazing, this solidarity stuff.
The new issue of The Mississauga News has a picture of president Laura Kaminker proudly marching on the line on the cover and a very positive story inside. There still has been no word from the City, and not one word from Mayor Bonnie Crombie. However, we did hear from an unnamed source that — pardon the expression — huge shit-storms are ricocheting all over City Hall.
And there was an emergency Library Board meeting this week. … Hmm, what could that have been about?
Here is the text of a letter one of our customers sent to Library Director Rose Vespa:
Dear Ms. Vespa,
As a regular user of the Mississauga library system, I am disappointed that negotiations with CUPE have failed. I am also dismayed by today’s report in the Mississauga News that includes CUPE’s characterization of library workers’ contracts as “the very definition of precarious work” with part-time workers having “no benefits, no paid sick time or bereavement leave and no paid vacation” and “nothing but a constantly changing schedule that prevents them from holding down a second job, yet offers only 12 to 16 hours a week, often less.” I am sure that neither you nor I would want to have to work in those conditions. I do hope that the city will make a better and more compassionate offer so that we can all continue to benefit from this wonderful service.
Thank you.
John S.
This Saturday, the Strike Committee and the Executive are meeting to debrief for the week and strategize for the week ahead. If you have ideas that you want to pass along, we are listening.
Continue readingwmtc: from the front lines, day three
Here are some highlights of the incredible support our strike action is generating:1 – A customer called this morning. “Good morning, I am a library patron, just calling to say we support you. It is so hot today, would a donation of water be acceptable…
Continue readingwmtc: from the front lines, day three
Here are some highlights of the incredible support our strike action is generating:1 – A customer called this morning. “Good morning, I am a library patron, just calling to say we support you. It is so hot today, would a donation of water be acceptable…
Continue readingwmtc: from the front lines, day two
We had another great turnout on Tuesday. When I arrived at 8:30 AM, there were already 100 people making noise at our favourite corner, and another 40-50 waiting to sign in.So what did we learn today…?The labour community rocks!Folks from the Ontario…
Continue readingwmtc: from the front lines, day two
We had another great turnout on Tuesday. When I arrived at 8:30 AM, there were already 100 people making noise at our favourite corner, and another 40-50 waiting to sign in.So what did we learn today…?The labour community rocks!Folks from the Ontario…
Continue readingwmtc: march 14: speak out against bill c-51
Guest post by Allan: Tomorrow – Saturday, March 14 – there will be protests across Canada against Stephen Harper’s latest assault on democracy and free speech – Bill C-51 (“The Anti-terrorism Act 2015”). While Harper states the bill would merely “criminalize the promotion of terrorism” and give the government the
Continue readingwmtc: let them stay week 2015: january 25-31: make your voice heard
Allan guest post Since September 2014, seven US Iraq War resisters have received negative decisions in their cases. Two veterans were given removal dates (i.e., dates by which they must leave the country). One resister received a stay of removal and the government rescinded the second removal order at the
Continue readingwmtc: let them stay week day 5: social media thursday
Today in Let Them Stay Week 2014 is Social Media Thursday! – Change your Facebook picture to the picture above to show support for US war resisters in Canada. You can also find the photo on our website, resisters.ca. – Invite your friends to change their picture, too. – Tweet
Continue readingwmtc: harper government set to deport rivera family september 20
Canada Border Services Agency has declared that Iraq War resister Kimberly Rivera and her family must return to the United States by September 20. Rivera came to Canada in 2007 to avoid re-deployment to Iraq. She currently lives in Toronto with her husband and four children. If she returns to
Continue readingwmtc: marxism 2011 program notes: how can we stop the right?
These are my notes from the 2011 Marxism conference in Toronto. The series starts here. * * * * How can we stop the right?Christine Beckermann, member of ISMay 29, 2011 With the emergence of the Tea Party in the US, Rob Ford’s election in Toronto, and now the Harper
Continue readingwmtc: david heap, freed from israeli prison, is coming home!
Three days ago, I posted that David Heap, a Canadian professor and activist who was on the Tahrir, which was attempting to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, was being held in an Israeli prison.Stephanie, his partner, writes with great news:DAVID IS C…
Continue readingwmtc: "she is my family" and other revelations of humanity: s. brian willson in toronto
Guest post: Allan reports on “An Evening with S. Brian Willson”, a benefit for the War Resisters Support Campaign, Monday, November 7, 2011.(Willson speaking at a church in San Francisco, July 2011)Brian Willson’s life changed forever on one afternoon …
Continue readingwmtc: austerity: a survival guide
Brian McFadden, New York Times, August 6, 2011. Click to enlarge.
Continue reading