Day 1 - Almost looks like people were waiting for an excuse to throw garbage everywhere
Well, that’s it. It’s official. The strike has started.
I’m not happy about it, but I can understand why the union is fighting. Judging by people’s reaction near me or in the general public through the media, it’s clear that only the people who work for the City understand this issues of sick days. It seems to infuriate them that City employees get 18 sick days per year that they can accumulate and bank. Thing is, the City employees don’t have access to short term disability, if I get sick and have no days banked, I don’t get paid. It’s that simple. Other companies might give 5 to 10 sick days a year and if they are not use they disappear, but at least if these employees get sick and need to be hospitalized, they will still get paid… Not me. Unless I was lucky enough to have been healthy and bank those sick days. It’s a weird system, but it’s a benefit I like and wish not to lose. Call me crazy. It’s hard enough to get a job with the City, the competition is plenty, but once you’re in, you want to fight for the best job you’ve ever gotten.
Oh and by the way, just in case people think this strike is just a well timed vacation, none of us get any salary at all for the duration of the lock-out.. The longer it lasts, the harder it will be to pay rent, groceries, toilet cleaning products, cat brushes for that crazy time of year when GeorgeHamilton sheds 4 times the amount of hair he has (I seriously think he grows extra hair just so he can shed more)…
So tomorrow, I’ll be joining my brothers on the picket line, and walk in circle and chant my chants… or drink my Starbucks while listening ad nauseam to the latest Pet Shop Boy cd. And take a couple of pictures. There’s gotta be a couple of hot daddies in my union, right? But I will show my support nonetheless.
« June 22, 2009 City of Toronto Strike – Day 2 – Stories From The Picket Line »
Power to the people!
It’s crazy! We were at Woodbine beach today and it was already very very dirty, and it had been only half a day! It’s almost like those cartoons that they cut from one scene to another and say 5 minutes later and it is a complete mess. It doesn’t take a lot for society to fall apart!
Like there’s a need to throw your shit all over the place after 12 hours of city strike. Way to show the man
All the best! I was on strike with CUPE 3903 in the winter marching day in and day out… I understand your thoughts about it, and empathize. Hopefully it will be over soon!
I thought that the city was proposing to substitute a short term disability plan for the current system of cashing out at retirement.
That’s what’s being proposed, but that’s not what the union wants. They fought for this benefit years ago and don’t want to lose it. Plus there’s a big misconception in this “buyout” of unused sick days… should you have any when you retire, you can buyout 50% of them. For someone who’s work all their life for the city, it could be a nice little send out for sure, but still nothing compared to what the management or city councillor give themselves, even if they’re voted out of office.
Oh, and thanks Josh for the encouragement. Let’s hope it’s a short one and that everyone gets back to their daily routines soon