As City Workers Return to Work – Councillors Need to Act Responsibly
I have had a number of conversations with people about how difficult it would be to be a Councillor who opposed the concessions Miller gave in on. While often the best plan in opposition to a government in politics is to vote against it, risking defeating a labour agreement and forcing a management lock out is totally irresponsible and would result in the City being taken to the cleaners at arbitration.
A Councillor voting against the agreement, is in fact voting for a management lock out. It is plain and simple. Voting against the agreement means that you’d like it to fail, if you’re a Councillor and you want it to fail, its because you want a lock out. Let’s hope that the Councillors who disagree, at least are wise enough to slam the Mayor and company during the debate, but not vote against the agreement. Leave the Chamber if you have to, but don’t demonstrate irresponsibility by fanning the flames in favour of a management lock out.
Citizens need their services back, they need garbage pick up, daycares open, pools, rec centres and parks open, clean and safe for children. Voting against what is a done deal won’t make it any better, and risks making it a lot worse.
We’ll find out today what Councillors decide to do, let’s hope its the right thing.
Tags: City of Toronto, City of Toronto Garbage Strike, City of Toronto Strike, City of Toronto Strike Agreement, City of Toronto Strike Negotiations Update, City of Toronto Strike Update, City of Toronto's Offer to Unions, CUPE 416, CUPE 416 negotiation update, CUPE 416 Tentative Agreement, CUPE 79, CUPE 79 negotiation update, Day 36, July 26 Strike Update, July 27, Sick Pay benefits in Toronto, Toronto Child Care, Toronto Strike, Toronto Strike Tentative Agreement
July 31st, 2009 at 8:49 am
John, I have been somewhat following your blogs throughout this civic union strike and I must say you are a wise young man. I hope you continue in politics as you seem to have a very rational, logical perspective on things. Something this City (Province and Country) needs! I’m not sure those Councillors who call themselves the “Responsible Government” are acting rational or logical regarding this situation. I agree whole heartedly with your commentary. I also feel, from what has been broadcasted to date, that the tentative Union contract sounds fair to ALL parties.
July 31st, 2009 at 9:20 am
I don’t get these people who are opposing it. Councillor Ootes is actually saying the mayor should’ve held out for 0% wage increases and total elimination of the sick bank. What world are these people living in? You can’t get that; all they have to do is wait long enough for the garbage piles to constitute a health hazard and the province legislates them back, likely resulting in a better deal than they have now.
They can complain all they like, but voting the deal down means a long strike/lockout and back to work legislation. That’s far worse than the deal, so they need to vote for the deal.
July 31st, 2009 at 9:47 am
If Council does that I hope the union does the smart thing and stays on the job and demands arbitration resulting in at least as good, if not a better result, for the workers than the negotiated agreement.
Miller made it clear that he needed and wanted a strike to get the result that was obtained.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:16 am
Aren’t these councillors the same people who accepted an unprecedented 7% increase in 2006, another 3% earlier this year and refuse to give up any of their own perks!?!
…then voted to jack up our water, garbage, vehicle & house taxes that help cover their expenses?
I hope the lot of them are gone in the next election – Including Miller who was instrumental in causing the whole mess to begin with.