Fair Contracts or Collective Agreements: The Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Six: The Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL)

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 Six: The Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) →

A Lack of Critical Analysis of the Limitations of Many Unions in the Context of a Class of Employers

John Clarke, a radical leftist in Toronto and former major organizer of the defunct Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), posted the following on Facebook without comment, quoting from an article in the social-democratic leftist journal Canadian Dimension John Clarke 'Unions were founded as a way for labour to stand up to the institutions that exploit them. … Continue reading A Lack of Critical Analysis of the Limitations of Many Unions in the Context of a Class of Employers →

Fair Wages: Another Example of the Ideological Rhetoric of Canadian Unions, Part Six: The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL)

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 Six: The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) →

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 →

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) →

Review of Socialist Action’s Spring Education Conference 2024: What Socialists Do in Unions, Part Two

Introduction As I indicated in an earlier post, I attended the second session spring 2024 education conference of Socialist Action (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA-mVbaSSOc&t=4354s) since the issue of what socialists should do in unions is of prime importance- but was excluded from it after I asked a couple of questions in the chat and responded to Barry Weisleder's … Continue reading Review of Socialist Action’s Spring Education Conference 2024: What Socialists Do in Unions, Part Two →

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

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) →

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 →