Buzz Hargrove--You've changed.

Yesterday on CBC radio I heard an interview with Buzz Hargorve regarding the current labour struggles of teachers and the provincial Ontario government. I almost threw up, I was so disgusted.

When I was much younger--late teens, early 20's, I admired Buzz Hargrove and the Canadian Auto Workers.  I looked at the CAW as what a union should be.  Active, progressive, educating members, getting involved in big issues, social justice and political issues.  Recognizing that a union should do more than just advocate for it's members at their workplace, but that the struggle of all working people is their struggle.

Then the fallout with the NDP happened....and Strategic voting happened...

Now, those of you that know me know that I am VERY critical of the New Democratic Party.  I vote for them--critically--as I am even more critical of the other political parties, the former unProgressive Conservatives, the Conservative Party (a.k.a. re-badged Reform Party), the Liberal party, etc.

The NDP has it roots in the labour movement, and as historically been the most supportive of equity, and worker's rights.  The Blue Scare, of conservative hysteria that lead to strategic voting to keep the conservatives out was a big mistake.  Look at the history of policies and procedures of the Liberals and the Conservatives, and their is little difference.  Both have a pro-business, pro-profit agenda.

But I digress (again).

Buzz was trying to tell teachers that we should resume our stoppages--go back to doing our volunteer (unpaid) activities, that we have withdrawn to protest the measures of our provincial government.  He then proceeded to tell us that we should WAIT for the next Liberal provincial leader, and try to lobby that government--negotiate with that leader.  Really?

Imagine the president of the CAW telling it's member's this:
"Well, our current employer has just refused to negotiate a new contract with us.  They have refused to discuss it.  They dictated what it is, and here it is.  They will freeze your pay.  You will also work 3 days for no pay (isn't that in effect a pay cut?)  The will withhold a portion of you paycheck each week, then shut down for two months over the summer, and pay you what they earlier withheld.  You will no longer get vacation pay.  You will get less sick days than you had before, and since you did not have short-term disability (you used to used banked sick days), if you get injured on the job, or get very sick, and use all of you sick days up, you will have nothing--good luck paying your bills.  You will show up early, stay late, and not get any extra pay--no over-time.

Everything that you have fought for, struggled for, over the years, you will lose.  All so we can give our rich friends even more money.

And what would the members do?  Probably strike, occupy, walk-out, just to start. Just look at the history of job actions by CAW members in history.

Buzz, you've changed--for the worse.

-d