July 15, 2009 | Pics
No baby was harmed during the taking of this photo
There are signs, finally, that the union is starting to wilt just like flowers within a 1 km radius of any of the temporary garbage drop-off locations, i.e., impromptu landfill sites.
As you might have noticed, we’re self-employed and don’t get bankable sick days (when we’re struck by illness, we are still able to perform at the highest level, like those miraculous home-runs hit in movies for kid with cancer).
Union types, specifically CUPE (which stands for Complaining Ungrateful People in this Economy), rather than do what previous unions did to make themselves useful—prevent Johnny from falling into a blast furnace or making sure people who posted ‘kick me’ signs at the base of a tall ladder were dealt with severely—are fighting over the ability to bank sick days that go unused and cashing these in upon retirement. This is a practice the cash-strapped city, as well as people who can’t avail themselves of such a ludicrous arrangement, understandably want to put the kibosh on.
The other sticking point in the negotiations are the amount of wage increases—the city has offered 7.2 per cent compounded over four years and should close their bargaining position with the phrase ‘take it or leave it’ and say that they’re ‘going to get a glass of water’ or some such thing and then leave altogether.
Home liquor delivery. An Essential service?
Speaking of folks who can’t be fired unless they commit a major felony, 6000 LCBO workers accepted a deal. In what is arguably a more essential service than garbage pick up, liquor store workers signed a four year deal that includes a total wage increase of 7.75 per cent. If one of us were to become premier of Ontario (a greater liklihood for one than the other unless a less hands off approach to governance is applied from Thailand) and this deal expires, so will the LCBO. It is an extraordinarily silly and wholly useless monopoly we’ve frequently tried to rid ourselves of.
According to the Canadian Convenience Stores Association website, the group represents 31,000 members Canada-wide. Once the government gets out of the liquor business (and they will, if we have anything to say about it), we, like other adults in other jurisdictions all over the world, will be able to help out the small businessman and buy beer and wine at corner stores.
I would like to offer any support I can to make this whole ‘beer in corner store’ thing a reality. We can make this happen – contact my people. CHEERS!