tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post7216310852202031070..comments2024-03-18T20:18:14.088-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: The New ScapegoatsOwen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-27098473245278300902011-10-26T21:38:01.608-04:002011-10-26T21:38:01.608-04:00Yes, there was a time when teacher's strikes h...Yes, there was a time when teacher's strikes happened at the end of each contract.<br /><br />We were political footballs back then. In fact, we still are.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-25271231518095436512011-10-26T21:20:31.277-04:002011-10-26T21:20:31.277-04:00Ah, teacher's strikes in Montreal. I remember ...Ah, teacher's strikes in Montreal. I remember growing up with that. My Dad was regional rep of the MTA in the early 80s.ckhttp://sistersagesmusings.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-85512114210676160692011-10-26T15:28:46.199-04:002011-10-26T15:28:46.199-04:00As is so often the case, ck, people forget histor...As is so often the case, ck, people forget history. They forget that the five day work week, pensions, workers compensation etc. were all hard won benefits.<br /><br />There are many in my generation -- and yours, too -- who have no knowledge of what came before them.<br /><br />A retired teacher, I lived through six strikes -- four in Quebec and two in Ontario. None of them were pleasant experiences; and I wouldn't wish any of them on anyone.<br /><br />However, I value my pension and the education I have been able to provide our three sons. I have benefited because I belonged to a union.<br /><br />The people in power -- most particularly Mr. Harper -- have no appreciation for any of that.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-18169152614073828132011-10-26T13:26:24.591-04:002011-10-26T13:26:24.591-04:00The problem here, in Canada, is that we're goi...The problem here, in Canada, is that we're going backward as a society, while the US is, albeit slowly, moving forward. <br /><br />I don't think a petition repealing any kind of anti-union, or even preventing legislation to claw back labour standards for non-unionized workers, would fly these days. For some weird reason, I even get the feeling that many would love to see slavery come back. I have received such emails to this effect, believe it or not.<br /><br />Many Canadians, sadly, even many of those who are unionized workers of some stripe, have swallowed the kool-aid. <br /><br />I even heard Ryan Doyle on his radio show awhile back come out and blatantly say that the cause (and the only cause in the world according to him)of the global economic crisis was because of unions and 'workers who want too much.' for his liking. <br /><br />I only hope that Canadian working class will wake up and smell it before it is too late and labour has already been set back by about 100 years.ckhttp://sistersagesmusings.canoreply@blogger.com