Democracy of Hypocrisy
Ways with words and words with ways
Labour Day
I participated in the annual Labour Day parade, marching from the CAW Local hall to the Fogolar Furlan Club;a good 45 minute walk or so. With the many different unions and other participants, it was a decent turnout, but could have been better. This year especially was an important day due to the hit that workers in Canada have endured throughout the year. The false idea that it is the workers to blame for this mess was a recurring theme, as well as the recent city strike,which culminated in the Windsor District Labour Council president Gary Parent( who retires tomorrow) telling Mayor Eddie Francis to go to hell.
Follow up:
It has been a rough year, and being at the epicentre of Canada's highest unemployment rate, seeing the various trade unions and supporters come together brought a sense of understanding and solidarity. The downtrodden and the retired alike came out to support the working cause and send a message that although we might be down, we will never go out without a fight.
Speakers included NDP Windsor rep Brian Masse, Tecumseh NDP rep Joe Comartin, CUPE Ontario president Sid Ryan, and local legend Gary Parent. Although their speeches hit home, I am afraid that for those outside the labour movement, ie, those that tend to criticize and place blame, will never know what it is like to truly believe in the working people. Reading the comment section in the online edition of the Windsor Star reaffirms that belief. The blame is still being placed on the workers, specifically union workers. For some reason, people still want to think that it is our fault that the economy is crap. And the fact that we are told that Windsor is a Labour town and that the movement is strong, I can't see it, not anymore. I'd like to believe so but as I have inferred in the past, people have changed around here. Not a day goes by that I don't see a comment about how our days are numbered and when the unions are gone, that things will get better. Or how unions are no longer relevant because our labour laws are good enough now to the point unions have become obsolete. People fail to realize though that if all the unions disappeared, who will be making the high wages that are spent in the local economy? Will it be the low paying, part time jobs that keep this city going? Or do they think that these companies will pay a decent wage out of the goodness of their hearts?
The labour movement has made many things possible for not just union workers, but all workers. No one needs to be reminded of what they had fought for over the years, at least I would hope not, and this day is a day to reflect and remember those that have made it possible to make a decent living today. I do realize that Labour Day is not union day, and I had hoped to see more workers out there but instead, they chose to stay home and complain about how it's only unions celebrating the day. However, one must realize that this holiday grew out of the Labour movement in the 1880's and traditionally it is Labour unions that take a keen interest in this day. But for me, Labour Day is celebrating all workers and their worth, and it is too bad that many only celebrate the day as the symbolic end of summer. Come on people, as John Lennon used to sing, A working class hero is something to be!
| Print article | This entry was posted by zerodivision on 09/07/09 at 11:28:42 pm . Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. |
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09/08/09 @ 06:19:40 am
all work is valued - waged, under waged, and non-waged.
thank you - I marched in Port Elgin - the 2nd largest labour day parade in Ontario.
09/09/09 @ 03:13:24 pm
I don't disagree with what you've writen, however my issue is with union leadership. During the 101 day strike there was a marked absence of help from CUPE national as Jim and Jean were over their heads and sinking fast. Complete and utter chaos behind the scenes with no strategy and zero tactics. Not until the 7th week did national send an advisor to help, but whose head was not on the strike, but elsewhere.
Some grnadstanding by CAW president Ken Lewenza got some press, but little else effect. His absence at the labour day parade speaks more to union un-solidarity as he would rather spend the time in Toronto than in his home town, probably to do with Syd Ryan's presence.
The future of unions looks bleek, but not for the lack of need nor a lack of devotion by it's hard working members. It's bleek because of a detached disinterest of the "leaders" and lack of vision and competence.
09/10/09 @ 05:07:12 pm
I agree, union leadership was lacking on all fronts, both local and provincial. Fox and Wood's handler's left em high and dry so to speak and what unfolded was proof of that. I also found it odd that Kenny was in Toronto instead, but at least he was in their parade. There seems to be suspicion that there may be a rift or perhaps union raiding plans unfolding between CUPE and CAW, depending on the information you read. Unfounded in my opinion but it has been tossed out there.
Yes, the future of unions looks bleak, but there are some progressives within the organizations that are looking for change as they see the past practises as no longer being viable. However, their biggest challenge will always come from the public who have changed their views on unions in general. Pit that with some who have an inability to change or the wanting to, then yeah, times ahead don't look to pretty.