Bloggers Union, Local 1

Via Uncorrected Proofs.

See if your blog should be sporting the union label and if you're entitled to join a blogging union.

Fly the Flag

Town Council in Truro, Nova Scotia won't be flying a local gay pride group's flag. Many other municipalities- including my hometown of St. Catharines, as well as two neighbouring Nova Scotia communities- have raised or will raise the rainbow flag.

Mayor Bill Mills is standing by the vote, saying, as a Christian, he simply could not support the request.

"God says I'm not in favour of that and I have to look at it and say, I guess I'm not either," Mills said.

By raising the rainbow flag, he added, that might open the door for other groups.

"If I have a group of people that says pedophiles should have rights, do we raise their flag too? I don't want to lump them in with homosexuals, but that's the point, the issues, and that's my feeling.

A few things here:

1) Whatever happened to free thought? Is Mayor Mills incapable of being a rational, free-minded individual? Have the people of Truro elected a human or a drone?

2) I thought there existed a separation of church (and synagogue/mosque/etc.) in Canada. I guess that doesn't apply to Truro.

3) If Mayor Mills didn't want to group pedophiles in with gays and lesbians (though it always seems like the social conservatives do), then perhaps he should have refrained from making that insinuation in the first place.

Perhaps the best folk song I've heard...

It's called 'We can't make it here' by James McMurtry, but it might as well be called 'The Truth.'

Think your job is crappy?

Have a look at this job posting from Toronto based company Poop Patrol.

Reply to: scoop@poop-patrol.com
Date: 2007-08-01, 11:57PM EDT


Toronto's #1 dog waste removal company is looking for energitic but unambitious people to pick up dog poop for a living.
Wait, it gets better.
If you are selected to be the lucky applicant, you get to drive a company Poop Mobile!
The job requires that; you have a clean driver's abstract, like working outdoors in all kinds of weather, love dogs, and are bondable.
This 8 year old company is actively marketing and there are marketing related activities for you to do.
We are looking for team players who want to contribute and be active in the growth of this company.
Please visit our website for more info www.poop-patrol.com check out the job listing section.
A good attitude will get you a long way!!





Location: Toronto
Compensation: $200-400 per week. Part-time and full time postions available
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests

Billy Bragg to tour northeast US this fall

The legendary folk singer has announced a small tour of the US northeast this fall.

October 17, 2007 New York City, NY Webster Hall
October 18, 2007 Northampton, MA Calvin Theater
October 19, 2007 West Collingswood, NJ Scottish Rite Auditorium
October 20, 2007 New York City, NY New York Society for Ethical Culture
October 22, 2007 Alexandria, VA Birchmere

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Toronto date.

Stephen Colbert raps on Whose Line is it Anyway

Remember the random, rotating comics who were never quite as funny as the mainstays? Turns out that TV funny man Stephen Colbert had a gig on the show way before being cool. This is one YouTube clip that Viacom can't get its dirty hands on.

Underated rebellions

This Magazine wants to know what Canada's most underated rebellion is.

The CAW says that it was the 1945 UAW strike against Ford in Windsor, 1945. I tend to agree. This isn't taught in school, and I suspect most adult Canadians aren't aware either.

To make your choice, go This Magazine.

Feline Reproductive Rights

I'm a strong supporter of a woman's right to choose. In my mind, no one stands between a woman and her own body.

However, I've never thought much about reproductive rights for cats, and other animals for that matter. That being said, my friend just got a cat (from a friend of his) and it needs to be spayed. The veterinarian quoted him a price for the procedure, but suggested that it would cost more should the cat already be pregnant, as they would have to perform an abortion.

I wonder, does PETA have an official stance on such this issue?

Balance and Fairness in Labour Relations, Tory style

I followed UncorrectedProofs link to see that Mike Harris (thankfully not THAT Mike Harris) is running for a seat in the Ontario legislature this fall. Turns out he's running in Kitchener. Since K-W is my home away from home, I was curious if he was running in my home away from home riding. Nope, turns out that's Elizabeth Witmer. The site states that,

In June 1995, she was appointed Minister of Labour. In this capacity, she moved quickly to restore balance to provincial labour relations and to strengthen workplace safety and insurance legislation.

Whew, now I feel better. Good thing that she believes in fairness and balance in provincial labour relations. I guess that accounts for the Tories ending employment equity, repealing of anti-scab legislation, posting de-certification procedures in organized workplaces (realizing that there would be no posting of certification procedures in unorganized ones), repealing Bill 40 and passing Bill 7- without public consultation-which promoted "flexibility" in the workplace, preventing workfare employees from organizing, and preventing farm workers from organizing. Nothing quite like fairness and balance Tory style.

What kind of music would God listen to?

A surprising choice...

New Working Class Punk Band

Check out the MySpace page of EVERYBODY OUT! featuring ex-Dropkick Murphy Rick Barton for some solid punk rock tunes. Check out the song 'Home;' it's about bringing home American troops from injust and illegal wars.

EVERYBODY OUT ! Meaning An injunction to workers to 'down tools' come out on strike. Origin During the 1970s in the UK this phrase was synonymous with militant union activity. It was used when workers were called out on strike.....................

Can the Ontario Liberals be trusted with our money?

Goodbye $32 million, hello scandal.

This probably doesn't help the Liberal cause, coming only 11 weeks before the election.

Bishop's University locks out unionized staff

Bishop's University in Quebec has locked out all of its unionized employees. This includes professors, librarians, and support staff.

As a unionized worker in the university sector who is currently awaiting a conciliation date, this story is a of great interest to me.

Non-English Languages Banned in the US Government?

Perhaps that Anglo-chauvinists in Canada could learn something....

Karl Marx has never looked this good...

Thanks to consumerism and the free market, you can bring Marx home with you. No longer confined to philosophical text, this Marx is soft and cuddly. Conservatives don't have fear him either- he's only 11" tall!

If you don't support our troops....

While at the SCENE music festival yesterday, I saw a young chap wearing a troubling shirt. The back of his tee read "If you don't stand behind our troops, then stand in front of them." Really classy. If one doesn't support the troops (and presumbly the imperial war they are in), then they should essentially be treated like the enemy and shot (and maybe even tortured!). I guess freedom of belief and conscience meant little to that guy.

However, on a much brighter note, another shirt I saw read "Oh Canada, your home on Native land." Oh snap!

Immigrant Workforce

I saw Bedouin Soundclash peform yesterday at the SCENE music festival. Sadly, they didn't play my favorite Bedouin song, 'Immigrant Workforce,' which chronicles the struggles of the immigrant working-class.


When the alarm goes off in the blue morning dark,
you know its 5 A.M on the Pacific Rim.
With your eyes wide blind, into a bathroom light,
the news wire line says join the workforce boy,
made of stalwart stock, made from the earths own salt,
did you put your luck in North America?
Well it is 7 bills 7 days to fills take in line And join the workforce boy.

Join the workforce boy if you want some more you might find what you’re looking for
Join the workforce boy if you want some more you might find what you’re looking for

Come from state money in university you find yourself in adversity its 7 bills 7 days to fill so join the fire, And join the workforce boy.

Join the workforce boy if you want some more you might find what you’re looking for
Join the workforce boy if you want some more you might find what you’re looking for

Its Sunday to Monday leaving money to money when the clocks don’t stop running and the break is not coming
seperate history , the credentials are mystery,
the colour you're seeing, it goes deeper, believe me,

Made from stalwart stock, from the earths own salt, well I tell you why you join the workforce boy,
you're made from stalwart stock, made from the earths own salt,
did then why you join the workforce boy,

Join the workforce boy if you want some more you might find what you’re looking for
Join the workforce boy if you want some more you might find what you’re looking for

In the workforce boy, hey,
join the workforce boy
You might find what you’re looking for
Come from country to country to city.
You are a Paki, samali, west indie.
You come from India, Malaysia, Ukraine,
or Asia, Jamaica
Join the workforce boy.

Racism in the Ontario Government

It looks like the motto of the Ontario government is 'black males need not apply'.

Evon Reid, who is black, was waiting to hear about his application for a job with the Ontario government as a media analyst when he received the email Friday.

"This is the ghetto dude that I spoke to before," Aileen Siu, a cabinet office worker, wrote as she forwarded a query from Reid about the job to another person.

Reid, a 22-year-old political science major and self-confessed "political junkie" who remains interested in landing the media analyst job, said yesterday the reference to "ghetto dude" is the kind of slight that keeps young black men from getting a job in the first place.

"This isn't a Confederate flag in a pickup truck," he said. "But it's the kind of private view that affects decisions about someone like myself in the job market."

It is shameful that such an event would take place within the circle of the Ontario government. No word yet on whether or not Dalton McGuinty will apologize in person on behalf of the government.

CUPE and Quebec Sovereignty

Over the weekend I attended a CUPE educational school. The participants were provided with a 'Glossery of Terms' related to the union movement, and sovereignists will be happy with what was this glossery said.

National Union- A union whose membership is confined to Canada only.

International Union- A union that has members in Canada, Quebec, and the United States.

That being said, CUPE is now an international union, as its members live and work in both Canada and Quebec (though not the United States).

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Dropkick Murphys- Live on St. Patrick's Day, 2002

Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone,
We came to this country, you made it our home.

This man so humble, this man so brave.
A legend to many, he fought to his grave.
Saved family and friends from the hardship and horror,
in a land of depression he gave hope for tomorrow.

Say Johnny me boy, this ones for you.
With the strength of many and the courage of few.
To what do we owe this man who's fight
was for the masses, he gave his life.

Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone,
We came to this country, you made it our home.

A friend to the locals who dabbled in crime.
He'd give you a job and he'd give you his time.
He wasn't a crook, but he couldn't be conned.
John knew the difference between right and wrong.

Say Johnny me boy, you live no longer,
Others forgotten, your memory's stronger.
Lets drink to the causes in your life:
Your family, your friends, the union, your wife.

Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone.
We came to this country, you made it our home.
[x2]

And the boys on the docks needed John for sure.
When they came to this country he opened the door.
He said "Man I'll tell ya, they don't like our kind.
Though it starts with a fist it must end with your mind."

Say hey Johnny boy, the battle call.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Together we are what we can't be alone.
We came to this country you made it our home.

Five things wrong with America

Chicago's hardcore punks Rise Against have just released a list of five things that they think are wrong with America.

1. The Iraq War: Still being involved in an unjustified invasion of Iraq that is now a civil war that is taking our beloved soldiers -- our brothers and sisters and wives and husbands -- away from us, en masse.

2. 'American Idol'

3. The Minutemen: If you patrol the border of Mexico in your pickup truck with your buddies, some dogs and a rifle, you are a racist and you are looking for an excuse to use your gun rack. Stop pretending you aren't.

4. Meat Is Murder: America's obsession with torturing animals, injecting them with hormones, brutally slaughtering them, establishing acceptable amounts of feces and then not only eating it ourselves but then teaching our children that this is "the way things are," just like our parents taught us -- bon appetit!

5.: Global Warming Naysayers: People who still believe that global warming is just a theory and that our climate change is simply a natural cycle -- those same people believe the War in Iraq has something to do with 9/11. Those people bore me.

I agree with all of them, except for number four. I think that millions of Americans without any form of health insurance would have something to add to this list...so would millions of homeless people, the un(der)employed, and the working poor. All in all, Rise Against gets a 4/5...80%...and honest "A"

White People For Peace

Gainsville, Florida punks 'Against Me!' are one of my favorite bands. Check out the first single off their new album 'New Wave,' release this past Tuesday. It's called 'White People for Peace,' and speaks to the hypocrisy of politicians suggesting that God is on their side during a war. It also examines the deaf ears and blind eyes in the American administration.

East and West could not agree
So their generals gave a call and gathered troops at the border
With guns ready, drawn and aimed
each side was praying to a God
to bless them with strength and courage
it was in His name that artillery lit the sky on fire
the people sang protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun

Protest Songs in a response to Military Aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
But the battle raged on......

Sirens filled the air and the ground shook with war
Civilian casualties has been a cost that was predetermined
when interviewed for report victims pleaded in frustration
Their claim: That this was a war without reason
Bureaucrats engaged in debate to try and reach a resolution
the people sang protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun

Protest Songs in a response to Military Aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
But the battle raged on......

The Broadcast like their prayers went unanswered and ignored
god, like the rest of the world, just watched in silence
There was purpose to be served, there were fortunes to be earned
before a peace could be called to stop the fighting

Protest Songs in a response to Military Aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
But the battle raged on......

Niagara Hotel Workers Rising

Niagara's Hotel Workers deserve better...damn right they do. Check out their site to hear about their struggle against the anti-union CNH Corporation.

CUPE Ontario set to target Provincial Liberals

CUPE Ontario president Sid Ryan says that his union is gearing up to take on (and take down) the provincial Liberals in the upcoming Ontario election.

"We will be targeting Liberals in every riding," Ryan said, adding the union will use members on the ground as well as advertising to defeat the Liberals.

"Where we can find a Liberal, we'll be going after them. We don't believe the Liberals deserve our support. The premier has fashioned himself as the education premier but he's presiding over unprecedented cuts in the school board system," said Ryan.

The Liberals are referring to this strategy as self-serving, arguing that Ryan is concerned only about his own election campaign. He plans on seeking office in Oshawa.

"It's clear that [Ryan] was launching his election campaign," [Education Minister Kathleen Wynne] said. "This is obviously at least partly personal for him. He knows very well that we've been working with boards and we've put new money into the system."

CUPE Ontario is upset that the government has cut over 500 support staff from school boards across the province in an attempt to balance the books. The government also plans on cutting nearly 600 more jobs in the near future. While there has been peace amongst the government and the provinces teachers unions, the same cannot be said regarding support staff, who have has concession pushed upon them and who have been forced to hit the picket lines.

To anyone that was at the ONDP's 2007 convention...

Could someone inform me if anything happened with the Socialist Caucus' resolution on the creation of a single, unified, secular education system in Ontario? As far as I know, the resolution wasn't heard on the floor, but I would appreciate if someone could confirm this or tell me otherwise. Thanks.