Democracy of Hypocrisy
Ways with words and words with ways
CUPE Rally
I attended the CUPE rally today which started out front of the University of Windsor and ended at city hall square. I must say that I was very impressed with the turnout. CUPE members from out of town arrived in bus loads; as well other locals from the Windsor area stood by their union brothers and sisters as we marched to city hall down Riverside drive. Chants of "hey hey, ho ho, Eddie has got to go" and other songs were plentiful as we walked past the red bull air racers practising in their sweet planes. The 9 week old strike has no end in site and it was awesome that the different locals came out to show support.
Follow up:
When we finally arrived at the square, we were treated to a bbq put on by the Windsor Fire Fighters Association as well as speeches by such union figures as Sid Ryan, Paul Moist, and Gary Parent, president of the Windsor District Labour Council. A great point, one often ignored by the people of Windsor, was made by Ryan, and that is, in 2003, mayor Eddie Francis voted for life time benefits for himself and city council. The post retirement benefits is the key sticking point in this strike, something Eddie is adamant in removing for new hires in the civic work force. So Mr. Ryan asked why Eddie feels that its ok for himself and council to retain these benefits, while taking them away from the workers, and in my opinion, it is a damn good point. Ryan also said that Eddie doesn't know what it feels like to wipe the sweat off your brow during a hard days work because he sits on his ass in an office, and after a certain term, becomes eligible for benefits. This should make people angry, instead, they get angry at the "greedy" union worker. This just goes to show the lack of intelligence this generation has, their understanding that no one should have it any better than anyone else, unless your on city council that is.
Overall, it was a nice turn out and thanks to all those who participated, especially to CAW local 195 Veteran cab workers who have been on strike for a couple of months now as well and who it seems the people have forgotten about. Special thanks to the Firefighters Association as well for providing hot dogs, water and pop. Great job guys!
| Print article | This entry was posted by zerodivision on 06/12/09 at 04:35:15 pm . Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. |
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06/12/09 @ 08:45:30 pm
"This just goes to show the lack of intelligence this generation has, their understanding that no one should have it any better than anyone else, unless your on city council that is."
No current member will lose their lifetime benefits. They will all be grandfathered. Why should City Council be any different? When they voted in lifetime benefits for City Councillors in 2003 (who must get elected four times in order to qualify), that was the policy across the corporation. I would expect Councillors to move a motion removing lifetime benefits for any new Councillors at the conclusion of this strike if it is removed for employees. If they fail to do so, then they will be justly ridiculed and taken to task for their lack of action and will ultimately have to answer to voters.
The fact that the Mayor and Councillors can currently qualify for lifetime benefits is nothing more than a red herring issue.
Contrary to your insult of "this generation" many people are actually very well informed on this and many other issues related to the strike.
06/12/09 @ 10:55:31 pm
I already know that no current member will lose benefits, I am well informed on what this strike is about.
"I would expect Councillors to move a motion removing lifetime benefits for any new Councillors at the conclusion of this strike if it is removed for employees. If they fail to do so, then they will be justly ridiculed and taken to task for their lack of action and will ultimately have to answer to voters."
I highly doubt that will happen in any case and the voters don't come across as actually caring about them in the first place.
"Contrary to your insult of "this generation" many people are actually very well informed on this and many other issues related to the strike. "
You wouldn't know it by hearing what many people have to say
06/13/09 @ 01:12:14 am
Once a contract is negotiated, Council must ratify it with a public vote. At that time I, and I'm sure many others will be attending Council as a delegation encouraging the Mayor and Councillors to adopt a motion removing lifetime benefits for new Councillors.
06/13/09 @ 02:36:22 pm
No sympathy here. City workers are doing it to themselves. Of the 5 neighbours here that were siding with them in weeks 1 an2 2, are down to none. As far as I am concerned; CUPE could give concessions and get what they are looking for when times are better. I have been out of work for 2 years. I am now an adult student in the health field. I would be damn glad to have a City paying job for even 12-15 dollars, no benefits!!! Time for CUPE to go home. Did I mention my neighbour that's a striking city worker takes1 1/2 hr lunch breaks everyday. I would have called on them ages ago, bugt the Union would just save their sorry %$#, send em to Brentwood or some lodge up north...Amazing the lazy breeds these Unions promote. Go home and die CUPE. We are sick of it already!
06/13/09 @ 05:57:07 pm
Unions - Solidarity
Get it??
06/14/09 @ 09:54:50 am
Thank you for the CUPE Coverage .if you are from Windsor and you are interested in covering some of Veteran Cab strikers you can visit us at the picket line or meet us tomorrow at city Hall 5:30 pm
or visit my web Page at :www.veterancab.webs.com