Two Toronto City Councillors Seek to Restrict Charter Rights in the Face of Protests Against the Genocide In Palestine

John Clarke, former major organizer for the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), posted the following recently on Facebook:  These kinds of anti-democratic measures must be opposed and, if necessary, defied. From rabble.  Scared of progress, two Toronto City Councillors seek to restrict our charter rights by Andria BabbingtonMay 22, 2024   Andria Babbington, President of the … Continue reading Two Toronto City Councillors Seek to Restrict Charter Rights in the Face of Protests Against the Genocide In Palestine

Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Five: An Australian Collective Agreement

Introduction I was unable to find a specific management rights clause in an Australian collective agreement. However, such rights are implicit in it. For example, in the 2019-2022 Enterprise Agreement between Geoscience Australia and two unions--the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and Professionals Australia--it is implicit that management ultimately establishes the standards used to … Continue reading Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Five: An Australian Collective Agreement

Should Not the Radical Left Take into Account the Attitude of Workers Towards Their Own Jobs? Part One, The Case of Magna International Workers

Introduction One of the few things that I agree with the academic leftist Jeff Noonan, professor of philosophy at the University of Windsor, Ontario, is that leftists must start where workers are at: Political engagement begins from trying to understand where people are coming from. But where people are coming from can be interpreted in … Continue reading Should Not the Radical Left Take into Account the Attitude of Workers Towards Their Own Jobs? Part One, The Case of Magna International Workers

The Rule of Law in Action: The Clearing of the University of Calgary Encampment in Protest Against the Gaza Genocide

John Clarke, former major organizer of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted this on Facebook. It illustrates the use of force to defend the property rights of a semi-state institution called a university:  John Clarke   A police attack on the Palestine solidarity encampment at the University of Calgary. From the Calgary Herald. … Continue reading The Rule of Law in Action: The Clearing of the University of Calgary Encampment in Protest Against the Gaza Genocide

Critical Education Articles Placed in the Teacher Staff Lounge While I Was a Teacher, Part Twenty-Nine: Law and the Class Power of Employers

This is a continuation of a series of posts on summaries of articles, mainly on education. When I was a French teacher at Ashern Central School, in Ashern, Manitoba, Canada, I started to place critiques, mainly (although not entirely) of the current school system. At first, I merely printed off the articles, but then I … Continue reading Critical Education Articles Placed in the Teacher Staff Lounge While I Was a Teacher, Part Twenty-Nine: Law and the Class Power of Employers

Police Who Harass Other Police With No Consequences Is Indicative of a Public Organization That Stands Above Citizens and Not With Them

John Clarke, former major organizer for the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted the following on Facebook: Cops aren't workers and we should be less concerned with their 'toxic work environment' than the toxic work they perform in our communities. Having said that, the way they treat their own before they get out on … Continue reading Police Who Harass Other Police With No Consequences Is Indicative of a Public Organization That Stands Above Citizens and Not With Them

Should Radical Leftists Indulge and Idealize Organizations of Unions?

John Clarke, former major organizer for the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted the following on Facebook:  John Clarke   ·    As a body representing an array of unions, it is significant that the Toronto Labour Council is able to take this position. [He then posts a link to a post on the Socialist … Continue reading Should Radical Leftists Indulge and Idealize Organizations of Unions?

The Rhetoric of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council Concerning Exploitation and Oppression

The Socialist Project recently posted an article by Toronto & York Region Labour Council (T&YRLC) on their defense of the right to strike and the right to protest (civil liberties): Protecting the Right to Protest and Picket LABOUR  •  April 22, 2024  •  Toronto and York Region Labour Council In Toronto and York Region, we are witnessing an … Continue reading The Rhetoric of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council Concerning Exploitation and Oppression

Direct Action in Opposition to the Genocide Against Palestinians Is Insufficient

John Clarke, former major organizer for the Ontario Coaltion Against Poverty (OCAP), recently posted the following on Facebook (the website URL is https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/canada-palestine-solidarity-activists-block-major-infrastructure-a15-protests?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2icbmkWu7Yf4fAbjw-k1T_OVr-jAUTI-iK4RelgeAWbOpxqdGtZO969oY_aem_AUnH0-orFr3qYZdYCJ4UFd-dyVyKW5Yf8Pd0Z_rNloyIzwGanrjXToKWGuBLo-4yWAKbs4IoZuniPQCeCxqemsQM ): Canada: Palestine solidarity activists block major infrastructure in A15 protests Jeff Shantz April 23, 2024 Issue 1404 World In Canada, A15 actions included calls on the government to implement a two-way arms … Continue reading Direct Action in Opposition to the Genocide Against Palestinians Is Insufficient

Union Rhetoric Versus the Reality of Workers’ Lives Subordinated to a Class of Employers: The Price of Human Life, Justice and Dignity–The Day of Mourning for Workers Killed in Canada While Working for an Employer in Canada on April 28

I thought that it would be appropriate to post something relevant to the Day of Mourning for workers killed while working for an employer in Canada. Some Canadian statistics: Official statistics:  More than 1000 employees die every year in Canada on the job, and about 630,000 are injured every year. (Bob Barnetson, 2010, The Political … Continue reading Union Rhetoric Versus the Reality of Workers’ Lives Subordinated to a Class of Employers: The Price of Human Life, Justice and Dignity–The Day of Mourning for Workers Killed in Canada While Working for an Employer in Canada on April 28