...we hope! It's been 36 days. The garbage piling up around the city gets all the attention, but it's the lack of other social services (public health, welfare, daycares, kid's programmes, etc.) that are actually more than just an inconvenience, especially those people who are poor and have no other options. Perhaps by the end of today there may be a settlement between the city and the unions and everybody (including you know who) can get back to work! The sooner the better![Picture from NowToronto]
Great news - the strike is finally settled. The workers got 6% pay rise, which is quite ridiculous. Apparently, their salaries were high enough already (20$-50$ an hour)before the strike. All in all, though, everybody got what they wanted and the city will be clean again. Regards, Elli.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Elli, Though we're workers, so we obviously won't be going to you when it's time to buy a condo!
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't mean it in a negative way. All I wanted to say was that the garbage workers (apparently) did have quite high salaries even before the strike. And although they are definitely important, very important, let's look at how many people don't have a job. Those would be willing to do your job for much less money. Thousands of people also get much less money for their job, even though it's equally important. I do understand that sometimes the only way to achieve something is a strike, but this one has lasted for more than a month and in this situation (the economy could be better, right?) it did seem a little unnecessary. Also, you risked your own positions by boycotting for so long. Best of luck, Elli.
ReplyDeleteThanks for replying Elli.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't just garbage workers on strike, but people who do lots of different essential work for the City of Toronto. You do realize that the union wasn't asking for anything new, but went to strike because the City wanted concessions (i.e. wage and benefit cuts), right? There aren't a lot of people who would stand for that. Nor should they.
The 6% pay raise is spread over several years, as a cost of living increase. I believe employees deserve a cost of living increase, though you may not.
You say, "Thousands of people also get much less money for their job, even though it's equally important." Yes, that's true, but is it right? If these jobs are just as important, then why aren't they making what they should make? Probably because they don't have a union to back them up. Maybe you're self-employeed and it doesn't effect you in the same way, but workers have the right to organize to protect their jobs and livlihoods.
Lastly, no one wanted to go on strike. Our family lost a good amount of money because of the strike -- more than the cost of living raise will cover, even over several years -- while for most people it was a simple inconvience. We were caught between the City and union like the rest of Toronto. The City could have settled this even before it started, especially since they were willing to walk away with zero concessions in the end (or almost zero). Why then did Mayor Miller hold out for a strike? Why didn't they move to end it earlier? What was the point of it all? Everyone blames the union when it was the City that actually made the strike inescapable.
Peace to you,
Aaron
Aaron, you are awesome. Clear, concise, thoughtful in your response.
ReplyDelete