Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Nineteen: Private Sector, New Brunswick

Introduction A local leader of a leftist workers' organization here in Toronto stated that I kept repeating the same thing. Yes, I did--the issue is the same throughout. How can the so-called left refer to a fair wage or a decent job even in unionized settings when workers are used as things by employers for … Continue reading Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Nineteen: Private Sector, New Brunswick →

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA): A Conserative Organization with an Inadequate Response to the United Conservative Party’s Draconian Measures of Back-to-Work Legislation and the Use of the the Notwithstanding Clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Introduction The recent strike by Alberta teachers highlights the conservative nature of some teachers' organizations (see my post Manitoba Teachers’ Society and Its Social-Democratic or Reformist Ideologyfor a similar characterization of another teachers' organization, the Manitoba Teachers' Society). The Alberta teachers' strike was over wages and working conditions, including class size, the increasing complexity of … Continue reading The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA): A Conserative Organization with an Inadequate Response to the United Conservative Party’s Draconian Measures of Back-to-Work Legislation and the Use of the the Notwithstanding Clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms →

The Dogma Of Some Trade-Union Activists: The Cliche of a Fair Contract”

Tracy MacMaster is a member of the Ontario Public Service Employee Union (OPSEU). They are out on strike. I have outlined some of the reasons for the strike in another post. Recently, MacMaster posted the following on her Facebook page: What do we want t? A fair contract! If we don't get it, SHUT IT … Continue reading The Dogma Of Some Trade-Union Activists: The Cliche of a Fair Contract” →

Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Eighteen: Private Sector, New Brunswick

Mark Hancock, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE): A Consistent Social Democrat or Social Reformer as Witnessed by His Stance During the Air Canada Flight Attendants’ Strike

Introduction Kiri Vadivelu, a member of Socialist Action, posted the following on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/reel/2156080044871135): For long time, Liberals and their counterparts betrayed Canadian workers coast to coast under the disguise of democracy. Mark Hancock, National President of CUPE showed everyone how to confront political and legal thuggery in the true Canadian way. Enough … Continue reading Mark Hancock, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE): A Consistent Social Democrat or Social Reformer as Witnessed by His Stance During the Air Canada Flight Attendants’ Strike →

Solidarity with Air Canada Flight Attendants Does Not Mean that We Should Ignore Critical Analysis

Introduction I was disappointed when seeing the following recent post by John Clarke, former major organizer for the defunct Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP): Solidarity with flight attendants! I certainly express solidarity with the flight attendants as well--but I would never simply post this without making several critical comments. Critique of Clarke's Silence Firstly, it … Continue reading Solidarity with Air Canada Flight Attendants Does Not Mean that We Should Ignore Critical Analysis →

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

Introduction Collective agreements limit the power of the employer (aka management) to do what it wants. They are better, generally, than not having a collective agreement. However, the limitation of managerial power is itself very limited. Management still can use the collective group of workers for purposes not defined at all by those workers. Is … Continue reading Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Seventeen: Public Sector, Alberta →

Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Sixteen: Private Sector, The Northwest Territories

Identity Politics, Personal Pronouns, the Exploitation of the Working Class and the Union Cliche of Fair Contract

I had a debate, of sorts, with a so-called Marxist here in Toronto. I referred to J.P. Hornick, leader of the Ontario Public Employee??? Services??? Union (OPSEU): Over the years we have turned the LCBO [Liquor Control Board of Ontario] from a majority casual workforce, over 85% in 2017, to one where we now have … Continue reading Identity Politics, Personal Pronouns, the Exploitation of the Working Class and the Union Cliche of Fair Contract →

Management Rights and the Lack of Criticism of Such Rights Among the Social Democratic Left, Part Fifteen: Private Sector, British Columbia