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Toronto mayor 'optimistic' deals will be approved


Related to country: Canada
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Read the article here: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/07/28/toornto-strike.html?#socialcomments
As with most news stories, what's interesting is not the article itself... but the peoples' opinions. I chose some of what I thought were the best comments, to make some food for thought.

Ah yes Toronto the magical land where you can get paid not to work. Miller's charade of "negotiating" has finally been revealed. It is quite clear for all to see now that miller's union negotiating was just to prolong the strike long enough so the public could stomache a hige union payout. Miller will collect his share in union donations to his next campaign.
When will Torontonians learn? Unions kill the middle class. They tax the poor to pay the rich and kill jobs in the process. How can you build an economy based on rewarding the most inefficient workers?

From what the radio reported it is 50% more than what the city was hoping to propose. Savings? Nope. A contract good for 3 years, and then Toronto will turn into a dump again as I predict another stike at that time.
Why don't we just throw Miller in with the rest of the garbage of Toronto.

Leadership is a rare and priceless thing. It's also fairly easy to fake - until something like this happens.

NO OVERTIME!! Let them work their maximum hours, hire a few temp workers, contract out the garbage removal...anything but rewarding those people for holding an entire city hostage.

Miller caved. He could have privatized, but he gave it away. He could have contracted out the clean up, but he is giving CUPE a "welcome back" present.
In 2010, my vote is with anyone who runs with a mandate to oust the unions in this city. The parasites are killing it.
“An honest man is one who knows he can’t consume more than he produces" - Ayn Rand
I learned a lot about myself during this strike. For example, I thought I would be happy to hear it's over but instead I just find myself angry that they got what they want. They should have been fired, every last one of them that didn't cross the picket line.
I'm overwhelmingly disgusted and for once, not at the trash.

Come the 2010 municipal election, I hope and pray the voters of Toronto will have just two words for this pathetic socialist, union-butt-kissing twit of a mayor: GOOD BYE !!

"Obviously there was a little bit of give and take [in the negotiations] on both sides," said Toronto Mayor David Miller
Mr. Ferguson, the CUPE negotiater, said they came to an agreement after the City removed the final concession they were asking for. Over 100 concessions the City was asking for, and the City backed down on every single one.
I suppose the "give and take" Miller is referring to is that the city gave into all the union demands, and the union took the deal.

I love how the union 'leaders; are saying that there is much ill-will between the city and the unions that will linger for years to come.....
Thankfully, they do not seem to understand that the ill-will is between the taxpayers and the unions. They seem to forget we the taxpayers have the potential to vote in a council that will eliminate the majority of their jobs.
So yes,,,, you may have one some consession.... but you have probably also eliminated those same jobs in just a few years time.
Of course, it seems we have very short attention spans and I am really hoping that we remember all of this come the next election.
Sadly, I am not that hopefull. But please.... PLEASE... prove me wrong

After a strike that lasted five weeks, David Miller has completely caved and basically given the union everything they wanted. Let's hope that this will be the final nail in the coffin for David Miller's political career.

Unless you folks in Toronto want this to happen next time, I would suggest that you get serious about replacing Miller with someone that can reign in the unions.
I read what the deal ended up being on another news site, and it seems that the city gave the union everything it wanted. Of course, it's the taxpayers, not Miller, that have to pay for this.
(Just so you all know, I think people should get a raise if they do a good job. But this banked sick time is more days off than I get each year for vacation - and I can't bank my vacation!)
I am so glad I don't live in Toronto.

18 sick days per year... that's approx 15% of each month's working days allocated towards not showing up to work because of illness... the city has been making unhealthy deals with a union of sick people.

Removal of garbage should be given to unmemployed people and not given as "overtime" to workers who caused this problem in the first place.
They should not be given the opportunity fo recoup any of their strike time losses.

This whole stike thing has been a well choreographed charade, orchestrated by Moron Miller and the Union leadership who huff and puff in public but then play us in private. I suspect this whole thing was planned all along, including the overtime pay. Reports are that that union workers will still get sick day py outs and additional raises, so why wouldn't Moron Miller be optimistic? I just want to know why this offer could not have been made last Jaunary when the negotiations started. Once again, Toronto taxpayers have been whipped into submission, while the elected socialists and their union brothers walk hand- in-hand into the sunset. It's so sad to see what this city has become.

From the start I didn't trust a union sympathizer like David Miller to honestly fulfill his oath of office and do what was best for the people. I figured he'd bow to his fatcat union buddies and stick it to the population.
When Mark Ferguson gave an ultimatum on Friday and threatened to break off negotiations if he didn't get his way, I thought that maybe I'd been wrong about Miller and tha perhaps he'd cleverly manipulated CUPE into a position where absolutely no one could honestly oppose replacing the extortionists with loyal non-union contractors. Maybe all those weeks of suffering weren't in vain after all. One more week would have been enough to call CUPE's bluff. If they really did walk away from the bargaining table, they could have all been justly replaced.
Now it seems my first read on Miller was the accurate one. The spineless coward totally capitulated to the extortionist demands and is ready to impose overpaid, lazy CUPE members on us for several more years.
I find Miller's actions disgusting. He scammed the public into thinking he was playing hardball with CUPE when he was really stalling for time at our expense so that when he hands over a greasy fat contract to his CUPE buddies it will look as if it wasn't pre-agreed upon last winter.
His callous disregard for the desires of the taxpaying voters is appalling. Surely he's seen the polls which show how little public support the unions have. When the first Angus Reid poll appeared in late June, it was split almost in half between pro- and anti-union sentiment. Within a few weeks it had become more than three-quarters anti-union. People are sick of these anti-social lowlifes. The community wants privatization.
Shame on you David Miller for siding against those you were sworn to serve.

Where is the justice? Why the Union members are so special? They can illegally block those people who dump their garbage without any charge? Are the CUPE leaders and police officer try to tell everyone that the Union members are above the law?

CUPE workers will get 6% over 3 years and of course the cost of living adjustments. All 30 000 CUPE workers get to keep their 18 sick days and can bank to retirement if they want or can cash them now if they want. All new CUPE workers still get their sick days but can't bank them until retirement. So Toronto will see no major saving anytime soon. Terrible news for the taxpayers of Toronto. I remember Miller promising many years ago no strike if he was the mayor of Toronto. He showed terrible leadership when Tamil Tiger supporters took over the streets and shutdown the Expressway and would not allow ambulances to get to hospitals and showed even worse leadership skills in this CUPE strike. I wish the good people of Toronto can start a resignation petition. Demand that he and some of his NDP cronies are held accountable for their actions like not wanting to go to work because they didn't want to cross the picket lines. These NDP councilors believe they work for CUPE and not their actually constituents. I remember a long time ago, Miller promising a strike would never occur under his leadership. He was wrong and should just resign now.

I am going to privatize by keeping employed the deserving individual (s) who picked up my garbage at $4.00 per bag
....
Nice sentiment, but not very practical.
Once the unionpigs get their contract, they'll be paid regardless (isn't that what unions are all about?). By contracting out your garbage, all you're doing is rewarding the extortionists by giving them less work for the same money.


I just spoke to a friend and he was told yesterday he will be working double shifts for three weeks. Double time for the first week after the picket lines come down, time and a half from then on.
The city is also going to rent 140 trucks and drivers from surrounding areas for the same timeframe.
This union just cost our city a fortune.
---
Just a little math (which I am terrible at). Double time for one week = 2 weeks pay. 50% bonus pay for 2 weeks = 3 weeks pay. 3 + 2 = 5 weeks. The strike lasted for 5 weeks.
Have the union workers even lost anything? They just got all their money back! Whereas they just cost our city a fortune! We should boot 'em out.
If I only was old enough to vote...

The truth was revealled from Mr. Mayor's own mouth.
When the CNE grounds was mentioned as a possible dump site, Mr. Mayor said, "Absolutely not, this is a big money maker for us."
So the point was, local parks for children and family neighbourhoods don't make enough money for him, so they were used as dump sites, instead of the vacant CNE grounds where nobody lives.
Ah, now we understand Mr. Mayor, you're all about the money, not people.

Bluegardenia wrote:Posted 2009/07/28
at 12:23 PM ET
"you union bashers take the cake!!"
--------
Why shouldn't others get cake. The unions been after the whole bakery.

Ha ha ha, beautiful, the union wins again. SEE YOU IN 3 YEARS.

Bluegardenia wrote:
Posted 2009/07/28
at 12:23 PM ET
Top Ten Favourite Catch Phrases during the Strike
10. socialist Mayor Miller and his cronies at council
9. greedy, lazy, thugs
8. I hope they don't get overtime!
7. the Mayor and the union were in this together!
6. overpaid, uneducated, unskilled terrorists!
5. why did they have to pick the summer? we're gonna lose the tourists!
4. we need to privatize!!
3. we pay taxes, they work for us, we are taxpayers!!!
2. they are holding us hostage!!!
and the #1 catch phrase seen on this website during the strike??
1. Fire the lot of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
-------------------------
How about the Top Ten Union Propaganda Catch Phrases:
10. Greedy "CEOs"
9. Hard-won benefits
8. Scabs
7. Child labor
6. Sweatshops
5. Courageous strikers
4. Keeping then boss informed is bargaining in bad faith
3. We'd all be earning minimum wage without unions
2. Unions are good for society
and the #1 most repeated lie during the strike:
1. This isn't between CUPE and the taxpayers, it's between CUPE and city council.
You union sympathizers take the cake.

Everyone should take a ferry to Centreville and relax. <-- this one made me laugh

Congratulations CUPE !! You've beat "Hells Angels" and become the No 1. mafia in Canada. Your members can draw a line and beat somebody who crosses the line to dump their garbage. Nobody can touch you.

Mayor David Miller has sold the city out to CUPE.
I always thought that CUPE was in charge, I guess its official now.
I guess that’s what a 40% voter turnout gets you

Union workers have spoiled the kids's summer
Union workers will cause yet another taxe increase
Union workers should be forced to clean the mess THEY DID for FREE
The city should hire effeicent private sector crews to clean the city and semd the bill to cupe workers
THe city of toronto is now officialy controlled by the most dangreous criminal organisation in canada CUPE.

Since union workers have extremly low IQ, here is a explanation:
10. Greedy "CEOs" . You earn CEO level wages, what is your problems?
9. Hard-won benefits - You Stole those benefits under duress
8 . Scabs - Efficient workers that do a better job then you
7. Child labor - THere is no child labour in govermen job
6. Sweatshops - How can there be sweatshop when you work outside?
5. Courageous strikers - Terrorists who take whole city in hostage, coward
4. Keeping then boss informed is bargaining in bad faith. Unions lie every time they say anything.
3. We'd all be earning minimum wage without unions - this is 2009 not 1930
2. Unions are good for society- Unions worker are the most selfish individual in the worlds
and the #1 most repeated lie during the strike:
1. This isn't between CUPE and the taxpayers, it's between CUPE and city council. The taxes payers have a LEGAL right to know how much money you STOLEN from them,.

canadian4life wrote: " don't understand why everyone is so up in arms about their fellow citizens managing to negotiate a good deal for themselves. "
Because these "people" are making their money while increasing our taxes. You see for them to go up in pay means everyone who pays property tax has to go down in pay (since we pay for higher taxes).
So when you look at that garbage man, who probably lives in the 905 area code, and does not pay tax to our municipality, making $55k, and you see your property tax hike for no added value, you kind of get annoyed.
If these "people" were working privately, I could give a rat's ass if they made $100k per hour, as long as I'm not paying for it. This is why I don't care how much pro athletes make, but if the city decided to hire the Maple Leafs, you bet I'd be screaming just as loud if it was so some people could get paid to play a game.
This is why we need two things to come out of this strike:
1) Privatize all non-essential services
2) Legislate a residency by law so that those people who are being paid by the municipalities money actually live and care about that municipality.
There is no reason a garbage tosser or baby sitter deserves $50k on the tax payer's back.

Ken Kernaghan wrote:
The anti-union people need to be careful. They may get what they are wishing for...The lowest employment standard can become the norm
--------------------------------
What you are describing is not necessarily a bad thing. Being able to do a job properly at the lowest price means it is efficient. We just have to make sure it still adheres to certain standards and laws.
If services are kept cheap because the employer pays so little, then market forces already have a solution: workers can leave, and an employer willing to pay a bit more can hire them away and leave the first company with no choice but to match salaries. This process continues until the point is reached where the consumer of the goods and services are not willing to pay any more for it, but the providers can still turn some kind of profit despite the increase in expenses.
However, this model breaks down when you have a public sector union. Since they are not as subject to traditional supply and demand forces, they can price themselves well beyond their value with little repercussion. The result is that a few benefit at the cost of everyone else, and society is really no better off. Factor in all of the public services and their unions and this expense can be quite significant.
The fundamental question is this: why should public sector employees be immune to market forces and keep getting good pay when the people who have to pay them get no such protection? Why can they not get paid at their actual value? I know the legal and mechanical reasons why this is, but I have yet to hear a moral justification for it.

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Better the World

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Better the world donates 90% of its profits to charity. You get to choose which cause to support, and raising money is as easy as surfing the internet. Since you do that anyway, why not make money for your favourite charity without changing what's your own pocketbook? It's easy & free...! www.bettertheworld.com and support TIG today! Give back to TIG! They're partners! DO it!

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Summary: The Results of the G8 2009 Summit

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Briefly, I'm going to go over what they decided.

-Cap temperature rising per year to 2C
-Put forward $20B (raised from $15B) for Aid for Africa funds
-Speed rollout of renewable energy projects
-Commit to more support for carbon capture/storage (CCS) technology
-Banned transfer of enrichment and reprocessing technologies (ENR) to those countries who have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This may not include India (conflicting sources)
-Long-term strategic alliance for pensions business in China
-Reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050

Enough results for two days of meeting? I wouldn't say so. I'll keep adding to this list as I learn more (or as you guys tell me more).

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Unification

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

I've been doing some thinking lately (surprise, surprise) and came up with an interesting idea that I think I'll pursue, because a quote by William Wirt said "Seize the moment of excited curiosity on any subject to solve your doubts; for if you let it pass, the desire may never return, and you may remain in ignorance." Great advice.

Anyways, here's the big thought: what if every organization in the world that was dedicated to changing the world for the better (i.e. WWF, YES world, Aid for Africa, and even TiG) were to join together into one large corporation? I'm musing about the result if it happens. I see it as a pretty beautiful picture, even just the idea of a whole unified front of organizations and people who want to change the world for the better.

One realistic thing is that it would most definitely make the news, so instead of headlines like "Raising taxes at center of health care reform debate," "Obama's Focus On Health Care Crucial To Reform," "Iran: Nation headed for 'disintegration' if crisis festers, former candidate warns" (real headlines, by the way), news that big would merit actual attention and therefore increase awareness. More people would join the cause because they could see they're not alone, or it would spark concern for the planet and other life in people who remain unaware.

And, most importantly, with all of the members and voices they could really make a difference. They'd probably have enough people to be a country of their own, so the big producers for the consumers who don't know (or care) about the welfare of life would pretty much be forced to listen to such a large group. And we could call it something cool and catchy, like the Resistance or the Unification Revolution or something else just as dramatic. They couldn't just shove the Resistance aside like they could with all the little divided organizations, because it'd have so much publicity that there'd be an outcry and since it's global so they couldn't feasibly push all of us aside. And they couldn't keep us in the dark because we'd have eyes everywhere.

And all the resources that such a large conglomerate group would have pooled... In my young mind, it could really, really make a whole world of difference (wow I just repeated myself unintentionally). A unified front instead of little individual groups who are sworn to a great divide (Soilwork allusion) and think they fight alone, an alliance against the common enemy (they are, after all, going towards the same general goal). Or maybe it's just because the word "unify" plays a pretty note in my heart. I couldn't get the idea out of my head ever since I thought of it so I thought posting it here would help. Since I thought of it I've been trying to think of all the benefits it could bring, whether it's really a revolutionary idea that could change the world or just an idle musing that has too many flaws. The former, so far, at least in my mind.

The only problems I see with it is that the organizations would never agree to join... and the friction because they might not get along and still stick in their pre-defined groups (makes cracks in the wall)... and that I think that globalization may have gotten us deeper into this mess and this is essentially organization globalization... or even *gasp* they'd make a counter organization that's global and it would be like mobile oppression (heh)... or they'd still just ignore us. But la-la-la I won't listen to that little voice. After all, like the Andrews Sisters said, "I Can Dream, Can't I?" And don't be a smart aleck and answer no. Those types of people irritate me and they're not clever, witty, or original (I had to get that out just in case).

Anyways, I still have my doubts but I'd really love your opinion on this and I’m honestly not just saying that! This idea is eating at me... Comments are much appreciated as well as a conflicting/supporting blog entry link (if anyone's even read this far and is still interested).

Cheers!

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