I think Buzz deserves more credit than some people like to give him. Nobodies perfect and I doubt very much I've ever asked for perfection in our union leadership. What I've expected is honesty and Buzz is certainly a step up from anyone else in the North American Labour movement. I wasn't happy he cut a deal with the SEIU but then I wasn't paying for that fight either. He's in tough with the Airline Industry right now and I'm sure he's going to take flack regardless of what he does. The difference in Buzz is that he'll be up front about it and stand before the members and face the music for it. I also doubt very much his opposition regardless of how vocal they are have to worry about their employers laying the boots to them when they do speak up against Buzz. Can all union members say the same for their own union leaders?
Now all we need is Music
In what appears to be an attempt to *rally the troups* Buzz Hargrove's presentation to the CAW council echoes the cries from the left:
quote:
"And we should never get caught in this trap that somehow, by giving up the past gains of our union, of people who went before us, in many cases on picket lines, that somehow we can save our jobs..."
His condemnation of concession bargaining is long overdue and he appears to take a strong stand, against the tide of the ever-invasive right, by loudly scolding the NDP and their failure to represent the interests of the working people:
quote:
"I don't believe that we need another party that embraces the business community."
We, here at the MFD, would like to know when labour leaders are going to tell us something that we don't already know. Actions speak louder than words.
After all is said ... something should be done!
The machine chant is redundant. The machines need to get to work on the doing!
Don't forget that Buzz wasn't alone in the CLC reform activities. Dan MacLennan and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) stood strong beside Buzz and Buzz walked away. Dan and AUPE were left out in the cold while Buzz and Ken played warm and fuzzy.
That being said, Buzz does have some good words and so does Dan MacLennan, and now that the CLC debacle is over, maybe it's time for Dan, Buzz and anybody else with some fortitude to stand up and do something meaningful--like lobbying the governments to change laws to force unions to be more accountable. If a union is accountable to the Power Source, the new laws will only serve to validate what the good unions are already doing. The biz unions are the ones that have to watch out. New laws will fundamentally change how they do their dirty business.
I think your right Weiser, and I certainly didn't mean to exclude Dan. As an old Alberta boy I was proud they stood up. Buzz and Dan could make a big difference in changing the law and perhaps they too should join or even lead our task force and help us lobby for change. I have little difficulty listening to their advice, or any others as well. What's important here is the betterment of the labour movement. If Buzz or Dan wants to lead that charge I'll follow. In fact I'd be happier with that. Those of you who know me best know I'm more of a soldier (so to speak) than a politician anyways. As long as we move forward I'm all for it and will donate what ever spare time I have to the cause.
If your looking for a song to go with this, being a country music fan I like "lighting does the work" by Chad Brock.
quote:
You know nothin's gettin' done, when talk is all you hear.
Like someone revvin' up a truck they never put in gear.
You don't see a cowboy run his mouth and strut around.
He just takes the bull by the horns and throws him to the ground.
Takin' care of business not just puttin' on a show.
When it get's down to it, everybody knowsChorus:
It ain't the smoke it's the fire that gets the burnin' done.
If it wasn't for the bullet, nobody'd fear the gun.
It ain't the bark, it ain't growl, it's the bite that hurts.
Thunder's just a noise, boy's, lightnin' does the work.You can talk about the farm, or you can plow the ground.
Argue with a rusty nail, or hammer it on down.
You can stand there in the dark cussin' at the night,
Or you can just reach out your hand and turn on the light.
Ther ain't no limit in this life to how far you can get.
But if your going all the way you gotta break a sweat.Repeat Chorus
I've heard thunder talkin' up a storm
Rattlin' my windows, and knockin' on my door.
But I've seen lightnin' blow a cypress tree in half
While thunder busy talkin', lightnin's kickin' ***Repeat Chorus
Hey wieser, pass the corn
quote:
Originally posted by Scott Mcpherson:
I'm more of a soldier (so to speak) than a politician anyways.
I'm sick of politicians. I want and we need fighters not candy a**'s who tell us just what they think we want to hear and bs their way through everything. Don't sell yourself short cause your not full of it. Thses guys show there true colours every day. I say it's time for a change.
quote:
I say it's time for a change
Welcome to the forum stockboy!
*It's time for a change* is arguably the most popular phrase in my workplace these days! It has become the closing statement in almost every lunchroom discussion. Hmmmmmm!
I've got a better song...
You'll be sold down the river for next to none.
You'll be sold down the river for next to none.
You'll be sold down the river, and screwed out of your pension, you'll be sold down the river for next to none.
they'll keep driving 200 horse's on your tab,
they'll keep driving 200 horse's on your tab,
They'll charge gas to the union, and sleep in 5 star hotels, and eat like big fat pigies on your tab.
Then they'll sign secrete agreements behind your back,
yes they'll sign secrete agreements behind your back,
and they'll get bigger pensions, you'll never have a hope in getting,
and take the breakage home for themselves.
then they'll charge you for the knife they stick in your back,
ya they'll charge you for the knife they stick in your back.
and deny you funeral benefits, and loose you life insurence.
and charge you union dues when your dead. 
We have our request in to the MP for a meeting. It will probably be after Christmas, I don't know of too many politicians who will be around at this time. Not to say that some of them don't work hard.
We will report on our fact finding mission after the meet.
Maybe some others would like to try this path? We can then compare notes.