I have been staring at my computer screen, trying to figure out how to describe the amazing day we had, and how to express my feelings about what we’re creating together. Not an easy task.Plus, you all keep posting awesome pics and vids to Facebook and…
Continue readingTag: labour.
Accidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week.- Trevor Hancock writes that if we’re going to designate anything as a public health emergency, poverty should top the list:I was pleased to see the B.C. Ministry of Health use the powers of the provincial health offic…
Continue readingwmtc: 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 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 …
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: The looming Canada Post lockout: workers resist concessions for next generation
Photo by Pleuntje
As many know from the swirling news across traditional and social media, there has been a long-running labour dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers over a series …
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Reuters reports on Tidjane Thiam’s recognition that inequality and underfunded education likely played roles in the Brexit vote’s outcome. And David Blanchflower rightly argues that the UK will need economic st…
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 readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading.- Jeff Guo reports on Peter Lindert and Jeffrey Williamson’s research showing how the U.S. went from standing out internationally for its relatively equal distribution of wealth, to being equally exceptional in it…
Continue readingwmtc: from the front lines, day one
About 200 of us were on the picket lines today. Despite the blazing temperatures, our spirits were high. We waved our signs and our flags, showing our pride to every passerby.MediaI did interviews with the Toronto Star, CBC (we were at 6:00 PM), CTV, C…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your long weekend reading.- Marc Jarsulic, Ethan Gurwitz, Kate Bahn and Andy Green comment on how corporate monopoly power and rent-seeking produce disastrous public consequences:Income inequality is rising, middle-class incomes ar…
Continue readingwmtc: mississauga library workers vote overwhelmingly to strike
Yesterday, the members of CUPE Local 1989, Mississauga Library Workers Union, voted overwhelmingly to strike. Amid massive turnout in three separate meetings, 96% of the members in attendance said they are willing to take strike action in order to win …
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Ed Finn discusses how to fight for needed alternatives to neoliberalism in the face of seemingly daunting odds and structural barriers. – Noah Smith points out how most economic analysis omits important social …
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: Who Earns Minimum Wage?
Photo by OFL Communications Department
Minimum wages have been getting a lot of attention lately. And for good reason. Workers earning minimum wage often struggle to get enough hours, don’t have predictabl…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week.- Jeremy Smith argues that the Brexit vote result should serve as a compelling reminder of the dangers of neoliberalism. John Hood focuses on inequality in particular as a driving force behind the willingness o…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Oxfam points out the latest World Wealth Report showing that extreme inequality and wealth continue to grow around the globe. And AFP reports on the IMF’s warnings that inequality and poverty represent signific…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading.- Neil Irwin writes about the White House Council of Economic Advisers’ study of employment policy which found that superior protections for workers (rather than the undermining of employment standards in the name…
Continue readingwmtc: it’s crunch time at the bargaining table
Now here’s an interesting calendar of events.June 27-29: The Negotiating Committee for CUPE Local 1989, Mississauga Library Workers Union, returns to the bargaining table for three days.June 30: The Negotiating Committee presents membership with a sett…
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