The strike by the municipal workers in Windsor that is. 12 weeks now without garbage collection, parking tickets, daycare etc. I've been able to go about my life without being affected by this to be honest. I don't have a habit of strolling through back alleyways to see the mountains of garbage that are piled up, but I see them in pictures nonetheless in the local news rag and on the many blogs I happen to come across. There doesn't seem to be any talks scheduled that I know of and so we continue to live in a garbage town.

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The residents have been holding their own for the most part, either dumping their trash in the out of sight areas or bringing it to the drop offs. The garbage heap that was once at the end of my street had been cleaned up around the time fireworks night came, as I am sure the owner wanted to use that empty lot for parking. The stench seems to only creep in through the windows at night and I am at a loss as to why that is. I don't know what is worse, the smell of the garbage or the smell of the skunks that are no doubt enjoying the garbage, or both. Either way, the stench is the only aspect that has really gotten to me.

CUPE cannot win, it seems they are fighting a losing battle with little support from the general public. With the province pretty much shutting the door on arbitration in the Toronto strike, Windsor is left to rot in the sun. Unless of course, the politicians change their minds and Toronto does get arbitrated back to work, perhaps Windsor would ride their coat tails back to work as well. I don't see any of that happening, not yet anyhow, we shall see as the summer drags on.

One thing I do know is that what is happening here in Windsor is a catalyst for the rest of the public sector and the attack that will follow. I have come across a story that hasn't gotten much exposure in the news.

The City of Mississauga has asked unionized employees to roll back a 3 per cent annual wage increase guaranteed in their contracts, city manager Janice Baker says.

ly met with the unions and said, `In light of the economic downturn, would you consider deferring some of that economic increase,'" she said yesterday.

Mississauga council has also asked the Ontario government to intervene. Last week, it passed a resolution asking Premier Dalton McGuinty to freeze the wages and benefits of all public sector employees in the province for one year.

Public sector employees should share the burden felt by taxpayers, says the resolution, passed with only one dissenting vote. Municipalities are "prevented from taking many actions due to the long-term contracts with unionized staff signed in better times," it adds."

I don't understand why a council from one city is suggesting that ALL public service employees across Ontario should share the burden. Though the idea has its merits IF that includes city council, and other people at the top, I still can't see why this council is calling for something that will affect the whole province. I can share the burden, no problem, but when we have people at the top saying that the working people need to chip in, while the big whigs do not, I consider that an insult and I will fight against it. If I am asked by my employer to take a wage cut or whatever in our next round of negotiations next year, I better damned well see those people in their ivory tower doing the same. I am surprised that this story hasn't been given more attention.

poll results- Is Michael Ignatieff another Stephane Dione?

Yes-16 votes, 73%
No-3 votes, 14%
he's a cooking something-3 votes 14%

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