Well, we have a garbage strike (and park strike and golf course strike etc etc) in Toronto. Already the air near my office is pungent. It's going to be a hot stinky day.
The general reaction is to blame Mayor Miller. And I'd like to join in that chorus -- haven't been a big fan of the Mayor for a while.
He seems to focus on political battle which have little meaning. (In fairness he may have a vision and I miss it; bike paths instead of highways seem foolish in a city like Toronto. Transit City makes more sense -- and I use public transit daily -- so I know how limited the TTC really is).
That said, this strike isn't really the Mayor's fault.
City workers are not, in fact, grossly overpaid. But no administration, in this economy, can possibly grant any significant increases in anything. And that means either a union that backs off or a strike.
The union here has decided to fight. Unless the Mayor, and Council, cave in (which is possible but highly imprudent), the strike will continue until the union blinks.
Now there may be a compromise allowing both sides to save face -- perhaps some 'agreement to review' or a 'joint committee' etc etc.
But for now -- buy some nosegays... .
From today's Globe:
Mayor David Miller said the city is prepared to negotiate at any time but added that the workers have to realize the city isn't in the same financial position that it was last year, and they won't get the same contract as other City of Toronto workers.
"The city is facing enormous budget challenges in 2009 and 2010, and the cost of providing services must in balanced with the revenues the city has to pay the bills," he said at a 1 a.m. press conference, shortly after the union announced the strike. "The world has changed; the city has extremely serious budget challenges. One needs only to look at our welfare rolls to understand that."
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4
416 225 2777
5 comments:
What about the big raise the mayor & councillors just gave themselves? Guess that's ok eh? Double-standards.
I have a very hard time feeling sorry for the city workers. I sure as hell wish my company had benefits like they get!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can get benefits for working??
The newspaper says that David Miller lives close to and passes High Park subway station every day on his way into work.
I would suggest leaving your garbage there at High Park subway station but at the Quebec Avenue entrance just north of Bloor Street West so you don't block the buses leaving from the High Park Avenue exit.
Please spread this around.
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