Of course it is

CP Railway union says collective bargaining 'under attack': Teamsters say management isn't bargaining because the government promised legislation

I think it would be fair to suggest that the federal government would enthusiastically work hand-in-hand with large corporations to destroy untions and the labour movement. It's only now that they have a clear majority that they are showing their true face, both federally and provincially. I can't believe that anyone with the slightest bit of political acumen and knowledge of history would think any differently, or be surprised...

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Sure. Just a joke.

I wonder if he'd consider it a joke if someone on another program said the same thing about people who star on 'live topical programs'? I suspect he wouldn't consider it a joke at all...

Jeremy Clarkson apologises over strike comments

"Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has apologised for saying striking public sector workers should be shot, after his remarks were widely condemned."

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Today's lesson...

is the story of

Karen Silkwood

whose death anniversary it is today.

There's much to be learned from her story, I think, and I admire her courage...

Karen Silkwood From Whistleblower Blues

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One day

into a new majority government and the ruling right wing are already looking at ways to hobble labour and make more money for their original (wealthy business) fan base.

Wall muses on labour: Union changes possible

Of course, a new part of their fan base are young people who have never had to deal with employers in any real sense and don't see the need for unions (yet) and even union members who are deluded enough to think that all the things we take for granted (holidays, EI, Worker's Comp., and yes, even weekends) are really good things that the employer has chosen to shower us with and not benefits that unions have struggled long and hard to achieve. Alas, they will find out the truth. They aren't part of the constituents that the government is going to see fit to pander to...

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Another black day in history

Tomorrow:

The Thibodaux Massacre of 1887

This is considered the anniversary of this event, one that saw the deaths of many black workers and union members, at the hands of the white population and the Louisiana militia...

We need to bear all these injuries in our memory - an injury to one is an injury to all (except in CUPE Local 59, but that's another story).

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Today is the date on which,

in 1909, the first edition of the

Little Red Songbook,

the famous songbook of the International Workers of the World, was published.

Sing along with me...

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I had only

heard of all this in passing. Just a brief mention. Here's more.

‘Christian Economics’ Meets the Antiunion Movement

Terrifying!

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Labour's most famous song

was completed on this date in 1915.

Solidarity Forever

Written for the I.W.W. (the Wobblies), this song has crossed all labour boundaries to exemplify the feelings and aspirations of workers in every industry and business, and in countries around the world.

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Hmmmmm.....

I wonder if Ahhh-nold was willing to work for minimum wage for his films, or if his agent (the equivalent of a Union) negotiated the best deal he could get?

Schwarzenegger orders min wage for state workers

And I wonder if Ahhh-nold would have refused to work if the producers had cut his salary to minimum wage after he had negotiated his price?

Rich people who charge great deals of $ for their talents (whatever they may be) sure behave differently when they become politiciansl. It always seems to be 'do as I say, not as I do' (And I don't care if he's not taking a salary for being governor. He doesn't need it and he's just trying to make right-wing political points.)...

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Oh, that's their (and perhaps the church's) opinion...

...it doesn't really matter in the real world, does it?

Catholic scholars say those who thwart labor unions commit mortal sin

The mass of Catholic employers are unaware that the Catholic chuch even has a position on labour, and, as usual, they will ignore whatever they think is incorrect or 'socialistic' in the church teachings. Particularly now, when people are more 'cafeteria Catholics' than they used to be. Some of the Catholic employers are the most right-wing, anti-union people you'll ever find...

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If she had lived...


Karen Silkwood would have been 64 today.

Karen Silkwood - Campaigner

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I do believe that her death wasn't accidental. Kerr-McGee had too much to lose if the information about their practices and negligence came out.

Rest in peace, Ms. Silkwood, and thanks for fighting for your brothers and sisters. A lot of so-called union activists could learn from your example...

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R.I.P. - Crystal Lee Sutton

Real ‘Norma Rae’ dead of cancer after battle with health insurer

Anyone who feels that 'big business' will take care of them only has to read some of the stories that come from this period. The days of these sorts of labour disputes seems over, but, like any cycle, they will return. The business class has never been a friend of the working class, and, except in very, very few instances, has never had the best interests of the working class at heart. Look at Ms. Sutton's struggles with her health insurer (and just when people in America, at the insistence of the health care 'interests', are saying no change is needed!).

God bless you, Ms. Sutton. Go swiftly to God. May you be blessed, and may you be at peace.

NUPGE's article

CUPE, who think only of themselves and their own pockets, not surprisingly had nothing to say about her death...

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I hope so!

Sensible shoes are a woman's right: U.K. union

Mind you, those spiked stiletto heels would be pretty good to use if they still did a lot of pole climbing in the telephone, light & power industries...

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Tell them

to stay away from CUPE and their Job Evaluation processes or they'll be letting the Union do to them what they don't want the employer to do...

Toronto union stewards organize collective fight back

CUPE is bending over backwards to make their blue collar workers happy at the expense of those who require more, or specialized, education to do their work. People need to stay away from CUPE altogether. There are lots of other unions out there who are willing to represent fairly. In these difficult times, when the employer is calling for cuts, we need to stay away from labour organizations who are all too willing to help them...

Finally...

will Gandalf have representation?

Russian wizards seek trade union

Another branch for labour unions. I wonder if they know how it's going to turn out?

This must be causing

a lot of sleepless nights down at 'Mal-Wart Central'...

Wal-Mart workers unionized at third store in Quebec

"Employees in Gatineau follow lead of those in Jonquiere and Ste-Hyacinthe"

And that's a good thing.

If Mal-Wart gets unionized, it's a plus. If they shut down the stores that succeed in their union drive, that's a plus for small business and manufacturers who aren't running sweatshops in China. A plus no matter what happens. (Unless, of course, they're unionized by CUPE, in which case it could turn into a big loss. I just keep hoping it stays the UFCW...)

Of interest

Posting about the Mining Strikes in Colorado brought to mind a historical figure of interest:

'Big Bill' Haywood

A colourful character, a socialist, an industrial unionist and someone who never shied away from a fight. His biography is intersting...

In 1896,

on this date, the Militia were sent to break a strike in Leadville, Colorado...

The Western Federation Of Miners

Oops!


Landmark Wal-Mart ruling released by Quebec arbitrator

"Agreement 'incompatible' with company's way of doing business: spokesman"

Of course the agreement is incompatible with the company's way of doing business. Mall-Wart's way of doing business is to keep their employees in poverty and servitude, darn it, and that's the way they mean to keep it! It's the Merkin way!

I guess this is the end of Mall-Wart in Quebec. They'll be moving out soon. Lucky Quebecers...

(Thanks to SWMBO for the link!)

Them darn Unionists

are everywhere!

Romanian Orthodox priests want to unionize

I think most leaders, Orthodox or Roman, would say that Canon Law prevents Unions for priests. But if you're paid by the State...