I Don't Like Unions

I was listening to CBC Radio1 this afternoon and there was a documentary about the 22-month long strike by workers at Crown Metal Packaging LP (ending summer, 2015). They were upset because the company wanted to introduce a two-tier wage scale among other things. New hires would only make $16.00 per hour. Not enough, they said. How can anyone survive on such low wages? So they went on strike. For 22 months!

A month later the company resumed production using management and scab workers. They’re taking my job, one worker complained. It’s not your job, lady. You’re out on the sidewalk holding picket signs while someone is hard at work getting paid the amount you weren't willing to take. It’s now their job and I’m sure they’re plenty happy to have it.

I’m tired of all these whiners who think they’re entitled to this, that and the other thing. There are people who would kill for your job and all you can think is, It’s not enough. Give me more.

In each successive round of bargaining the company offered the workers less and less and less. Finally, when most of them were nearly broke, they caved and accepted. Too bad, so sad. You got what you deserved.

You’re lucky to have a job. In this global economy many jobs are shipped overseas to more competitive markets. Bottom line is, your company isn’t going to going to do business here if they can’t make money. And they’re not going to make money if they have to pay you four or five times as much as someone else is willing to take. That's reality, like it or not.

Greedy, Greedy

Greedy owners + greedy players = No NHL hockey = Disgruntled fans who, at this point (nearly 90 days lost), really don't give a hoot any longer.

It's quite astonishing that seemingly intelligent, grown men cannot come to some sort of a mutually beneficial agreement over a nearly three month period (not even including off season negotiations).

And even more ridiculous is that the combatants aren't poor, struggling peons, but billionaires vs. multi-millionaires. People with too much money to shake a stick at yet their disagreements are affecting many, many others who really need the income. People like those who run concessions and support workers at the arenas or sports bar and restaurant owners and their staff. It's pretty sickening.

Me? I put most of the blame on the players. I know the owners are more than loaded. But, they're the ones who've built their franchises and took a chance investing in their respective teams. The players make a great living considering what they do.

If you think about it, what other options would most players have if they weren't playing hockey? Dishwasher? Janitor? Stock person at a grocery store?

When so many people are either struggling to find or keep menial jobs, you're going on strike because 2, 3 or 4 million dollars a year isn't enough? I don't feel an ounce of sympathy for you. I hope you all lose your jobs and see what working in the real world is like. Then you'll realize how lucky you really were.

Dumb Protesters

Not my photo

I believe some people are confused about how to get sympathy/support for the cause they're fighting for.

In recent years there have been a lot of protests and strikes in and around our fair city. People want support for citizens of their homeland. Or they're unhappy with their working conditions and want them improved. That's all fine and dandy, but I have to say, in most cases, you're going about it the wrong way if you want Joe Public to support you.

For instance... not long ago there was a support workers strike at Ontario colleges. They wanted more pay among other things and possibly more benefits or job security. All I can say is, buddy, in this day and time you're lucky to have a job.

But, I digress... sure, you have the right to strike. You have the right to picket. But, if you think you're going to garner support for your cause by inconveniencing students on their first day back to classes by blocking the roads leading to their campuses you have another thing coming. If you think you're going to gain their sympathies by not processing their loans so that some of them might have to drop out because they can't afford to study any longer, you must be dreaming. If you think the public will support you when you stage a protest march during rush hour in the downtown core, I have to say you're delusional. No one will support your cause. In fact all you're doing is making enemies. People with loathe you and you will get sympathy from no one.

To me this doesn't seem that hard to understand. I don't know why these clowns can't figure it out either. If you want people to like you you do nice things for them instead of pissing them off. Try baking everyone cookies why don't you? Maybe instead of people giving you the finger as they drive by they'll say a kind word of encouragement.

Personally, the activities of this particular group hasn't affected me. But, I've seen long lines of agitated people trying to drive onto campus and heard (on the radio) angry, frustrated students stuck in those lines already late for their classes. I sympathize with them, not the greedy, inconsiderate people who disrupt the lives of others trying to further their cause.