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 →

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

This post connects to the broader argument outlined in The Money Circuit of Capital. 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 … 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

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 →

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) →

Fair Wages: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part One: The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)

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 One: The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) →

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 →