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 →

Fair Wages: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Five: The Toronto & York Region Labour Council (TYRLC)

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: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Five: The Toronto & York Region Labour Council (TYRLC) →

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” →

Another Abstract Slogan or Cliche of Unions: Employers or Corporations Paying Their Fair Share of Taxes, Part Three: The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Introduction I have pointed out that the major Canadian unions use cliches like "fair contracts." In particular, I have pointed out in another post ( Fair Contracts or Collective Agreements: The Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Five: The Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU)) that the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has used such … Continue reading Another Abstract Slogan or Cliche of Unions: Employers or Corporations Paying Their Fair Share of Taxes, Part Three: The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) →

Fair Wages: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Four: The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

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: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Four: The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) →

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 →

Another Abstract Slogan or Cliche of Unions: Employers or Corporations Paying Their Fair Share of Taxes, Part Two: The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

I have pointed out that the major Canadian unions use cliches like "fair contracts" and "fair wages." Another cliche that they (and social democrats or social reformers) use is corporations paying their "fair share of taxes." Let us look at this phrase for a moment. For corporations to pay their "fair share of taxes," it … Continue reading Another Abstract Slogan or Cliche of Unions: Employers or Corporations Paying Their Fair Share of Taxes, Part Two: The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) →

Fair Wages: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Three: The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

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: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Three: The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) →

Fair Wages: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Two: Unifor

Corporations Paying Their Fair Share of Taxes: The Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions: Part One, the National Union of Public and General Employees Union (NUPGE)

Introduction I have pointed out that the major Canadian unions use cliches like "fair contracts." In particular, I have pointed out in another post (Fair Contracts or Collective Agreements: The Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Four: The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) (The Second Largest Union in Canada)) that the National … Continue reading Corporations Paying Their Fair Share of Taxes: The Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions: Part One, the National Union of Public and General Employees Union (NUPGE) →