Fair Wages as a Socialist Goal? The Limitations of the Organization Socialist Action

Introduction I was surprised to read an article from Kiri Vadivelu (December 31, 2024, "No to Legislative Strikebreaking! Victory to Postal Workers!") in The Red Review, a "Socialist Action journal." [Socialist Action is an allegedly socialist organization]. Vadivelu was a candidate for mayor in the last municipal elections in Toronto--and I voted for him since he … Continue reading Fair Wages as a Socialist Goal? The Limitations of the Organization Socialist Action →

Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Eleven: Public Sector, Manitoba

Introduction The following is the continuation of a series that illustrates the common power of management over workers in unionized settings (and of course in non-unionized settings). The power or employers to dictate to workers is hardly confined to Canada, of course. Various countries dominated by the class of employers have the right to dictate … Continue reading Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Eleven: Public Sector, Manitoba →

Another Example of Union Ideology Concerning a “Fair Contract” and “Fair Wages”: The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 831

I came across the following, which provides further evidence of how unions use the concept of "fair wages" to paint over the oppression and exploitation of workers (see https://springmag.ca/municipal-workers-in-brampton-are-striking-for-fair-wages): By Santiago Moran-Izquierdo On November 7, after nine months of negotiations and nine proposals rejected by their employer, City of Brampton workers started their strike. CUPE … Continue reading Another Example of Union Ideology Concerning a “Fair Contract” and “Fair Wages”: The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 831 →

Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Ten: Private Sector, Ontario, Canada

Introduction The power or employers to dictate to workers is hardly confined to Canada, of course. Various countries dominated by the class of employers have the right to dictate to workers except as limited by the collective agreement (and, of course, certain legislative acts). Collective Agreement Between the Carpenters' Employer Bargaining Agency (E.B.A.) and the … Continue reading Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Ten: Private Sector, Ontario, Canada →

Another Example of Union Ideology Concerning a “Fair Contract”: the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903

I came across the following, which provides further evidence of how unions use the concept of "fair contract" to paint over the oppression and exploitation of workers ( https://3903.cupe.ca/2024/02/05/clock-ticking-toward-strike-deadline-at-york-university/ ): Clock ticking toward strike deadline at York University Posted on February 5, 2024 by Comms Officer TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–After six months of negotiations with York University without significant progress, the … Continue reading Another Example of Union Ideology Concerning a “Fair Contract”: the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903 →

Fair Contracts or Collective Agreements: The Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Five: The Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU)

Introduction Since in this blog I have often referred to particular union reps referring to collective agreements as fair in some way, I thought it would be useful to provide further examples of this rhetoric to substantiate the view that unions function as ideologues for the continued existence of employers--even if the unions are independent … Continue reading Fair Contracts or Collective Agreements: The Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Five: The Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) →

The Rhetoric of Union Reps: The So-called Good Job and Fair Wages of Liquor Store Workers

Introduction Workers working for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) are now on strike. There seem to be three issues from the point of view of the union (Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local (OPSEU): job security (since Conserative Premier Doug Ford plans to privatize liquor sales by permitting such sales in local grocery … Continue reading The Rhetoric of Union Reps: The So-called Good Job and Fair Wages of Liquor Store Workers →

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 →

Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU): A Message of Hope or an Ideological Message?

The following link refers to the 2023 end-of-year and 2024 beginning year messagefrom, among others, J.P. Hornick, president of the Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) https://opseu.org/?fbclid=IwAR1bt-U4H3GRhStElusvLT2tGMBWnYDCbFic5mqWZFHjvi5a47Z1gdshwIA . In the video, they refer to the creation of seven new equity seats for the executive board. The seven are: Seven Equity Board Members: to represent seven … Continue reading Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU): A Message of Hope or an Ideological Message? →

Social Democrats or Social Reformers Fail to Recognize Their Own Limitations: The Bullshit Asymmetry Principle Once Again

Tracy MacMaster commented on John Clarke's post This exactly. Thanks John Clarke . To what was MacMaster referring? To Clarke's post concerning the "bullshit asymmetry principle." I quote from John Clarke: A FB friend put up a post that deals with the 'bullshit asymmetry principle.' This holds that 'the amount of energy needed to refute … Continue reading Social Democrats or Social Reformers Fail to Recognize Their Own Limitations: The Bullshit Asymmetry Principle Once Again →