Posted on: March 5, 2010
Whose “Free Market” Is This, Anyway?
Now that the House is sitting again, it seems like a good time to resume writing my blog. Like me, you probably followed the Throne Speech and federal budget closely. No surprises there. By now, we’re all used to the Harper government’s laissez-faire approach and its total faith in the so-called “free market.”
Posted on: December 16, 2009
The Planet is Dying
Everyone is currently focused on Copenhagen and wondering what the endless discussions and dithering will finally bring. We’ll know soon enough! But in the meantime, it can certainly get very confusing for the average person. Who is wrong? Who is right? The sceptics, the revisionists, the non-believers or the scientists? Some are calling it “climategate,” while others recognize climate change as scientific fact. Media coverage has been sometimes superficial, other times catastrophic, but always succumbs to sensationalism. The media seek to confuse.
Posted on: November 26, 2009
Solidarity with the Tamil People
On Saturday, November 21st, a demonstration was held in Toronto to demand that the Sri Lankan government put an end to detention camps. I was asked to speak on the issue and here’s what I said:
“Members of Tamil families, friends of the Tamil people, Sisters and Brothers:
It is important to be here today because we know that justice will and must prevail. We know we have to stand up to defend human rights and we have to stand up strong.
Posted on: November 18, 2009
Training for Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf Members
Fall is here! And at CUPW, this means opportunities for training and education. Courses are being held in every region on all kinds of topics of concern to workers and about their rights. There’s definitely no lack of choice: Introduction to Union Life, Benefits, the Pension Plan and Women in Leadership, to mention only a few.
Last weekend, I attended a training session held in the Metro-Montreal Region.
Posted on: November 10, 2009
Global Solidarity is Mounting Against “Vale”
For nearly four months, 3,500 workers in Sudbury and Port Colborne, Ontario, and Voisey’s Bay, Newfoundland, have been on strike to protect their rights. They are waging this battle against Vale-Inco, a multinational company that reported profits of more than $13 billion in 2008.
Why is Vale attacking these workers? The answer is simple: to make even more profits. The company is taking advantage of the economic crisis to demand concessions from its employees. In fact, this is part of a concerted attack by companies and governments against the working class.
