Day 9 – Someone didn’t get the memo at Dundas and Bay
With the dark skies menacing of rain, I made my way to my circle of strike once more. I was still surprised to see that people have garbage bags in front of their businesses or houses. Seriously, turn on the news, they will not be picked up for a bit, and the $180 ticket you can get for it is not going to be fun. And then screeeeeeeeeech. This woman driving while talking on her cell phone saw me at the very last minute and pumped the breaks luckily for me, and threw her phone on the passenger seat. Although my heart almost skipped a beat, I knew that yelling at her wouldn’t have any effect, her eyes bulging out of her head were sign enough she’d probably drive to her destination while paying more attention. I gave her the finger though, she was not gonna get away with a free pass.
A few minutes after starting the circle of strike, the sun came out. People were in a good mood or just minding their own business today, it was a good day for picketers. If only that paid well…
About a half hour before the end of our shift, this gentleman from the union showed up to give us a quick update on what is going on:
Union Rep: Hey everyone, can we gather in a small circle for a quick chat?
Me: Do you have good news for us?
Union Rep: No, not today, but hopefully soon. Just want to tell you that we are still sitting in that room and trying to work this out. It’s hard when you’re the only one talking though. We all want to thank you for your efforts on the picket line.
Picketer 1: Do you think this will be resolved soon?
Union Rep: It’s not looking great at this time for a quick resolution. I’m not sure if you guys saw it on the news yesterday, but the mayor is getting cranky with the press. And if the mayor is getting cranky it’s because something is getting to him.
Picketer 2: Is it true they are keeping this going so that they can save the money they need for the new streetcars?
Union Rep: Ahahah, that’s a new one. I doubt that very much, although it’s true they are saving a lot of money right now. We all think that this bad ideas of putting garbage station in the parks will backfire on them, already the public is fighting within each other at certain locations and it’s looking bad for the mayor. (silence, no more questions) And please keep up your good work daily in the meantime, your presence here is very appreciated.
As he was about to leave, a few of us wanted more information:
Me: Can I ask you something about the strike pay? I won’t be coming on the picket line tomorrow and someone told me that if I miss one shift I won’t get paid at all for the week.
Union Rep: That’s bullshit, you will be paid for every visit, it comes to about $40 a day.
Me: Ah ok, thanks for clarifying this up for me, because apparently when we’re back here on Thursday, someone wants us to go block the management, agents, officers’ entrance in the back and I won’t do this. I spend enough time being yelled at while I’m at work, I won’t do it while on strike. At least, while I work, I get paid for it.
Union Rep: Where do you work bud?
Me: (giving him the exact location and job title)
Union Rep: This is the guy! Everyone, this is a guy with one of the worst jobs in the city. Shit man, I’ve been in that office, I know exactly what you’re talking about.
Me: Well… I think everyone here have their own nightmare stories, but thanks. I wish my boss would see it your way too.
Union Rep: Trust me, after this he will see it that way for sure. You will feel the love. I was there last Friday to check it out as there’s no picketing there and the mood in that waiting room was awful.
Me: I keep thinking I want to go see what it’s like for myself one of these days.
Union Rep: If you do, let me know if there are any staff crossing the picket line, you know what I mean, if there are any scabs.
Me: huh…. mmmmm… I make a very bad spy, I could never do that.
Union Rep: It’s just a thought if you go there.
Me: Wouldn’t HR give you this information? (and then realized how stupid that comment was)
Union Rep: Not while we’re at “war”…
Union Rep’s Friend: Have you ever thought of becoming a Steward?
Me: ah no… not for me… I’m one of those people that go to work on time and like to leave on time. At 5pm, it’s home time only until my next shift starts.
After they went away, Picketer 1 turned to me and said: “We’re totally getting the mushroom treatment. They keep us in the dark and feed us shit.”
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I would say that Garbage Collector at Christy Pits is going to be the “worst job in the city” very soon.
Why can’t we all just get along??
Tomorrow is the 10 th day of the strike so strike pay of $40/day to a maximum of $200/week will start from the National Strike Fund ( i.e from CUPE ) . The strike pay is TAX FREE .
Did you guys get paid for the first 9 days from your local union ( 79 or 416 ) or will you get paid for the first 9 days later on or do you picket for FREE for the first 9 days ?
If you guys really get paid $25/hr to $ 35/hr then this strike must be affecting you financially BIG TIME !
I bet the UNION Managers & Bosses are getting paid their full salary while the UNION workers are just getting the STRIKE PAY of $ 200/week maximum .
At local 79, there are more funds saved and we get paid from day one. Local 416 is a different story, they have to work 10 shifts before they can get paid. At least that’s my understanding from the few people I’ve talked too.
All I know is the City Management is getting full pay during this time, while they are not solving the problem they’ve created by not being able to negotiate a contract within 6 months… I know I will not vote for that same Mayor at the next election. I used to like him a lot but if he really is trying to shake his image as a Union sympathizer, it’s working, he’s lost our confidence in managing anything