Unions defend worker interests

Canada's Defence Minister had strong words about two conflicts in the Middle East at the Halifax International Security Forum on Sunday.

Peter MacKay said Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas, and that Russia should step into the deteriorating situation in Syria.

The escalating missile exchange between Israel and Hamas was the main topic at the weekend conference.

Delegates had animated discussions about who is to blame and what should be done to stop the attacks from both sides. MacKay put the blame squarely on the shoulders of Hamas.

"A country has the right to defend itself. A country has the right to exist, and part of that existence means protecting your population, which is what Israel is trying to do," he said.

Call for Russian action

MacKay also accused Russia of being unwilling to help resolve the bloodshed in Syria. Anti-government forces have been trying to oust the Assad government since March 2011. Russia has not openly been involved on either side.

"Thus far they have been reluctant to do so at the security council. They have refused to do so bilaterally. We can't have Russia on the sideline with a country coming apart at the seams," he said.

The security conference also focused on Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

MacKay said he visited Afghanistan last week and is encouraged by what he saw. But the defence minister also said the onus is on Pakistan to create real peace in the region.

"Let me be clear: we need Pakistan's unequivocal [support] for that effort for their neighbourhood and thus far that has not been the case," he said.

MacKay said the international security conference is about more than talk. But the CBC's Steven Puddicombe said that with few actual decision makers in attendance, it is questionable about what effect the tough words at this conference will have.

Source  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/11/18/ns-security-summit-mackay.html

Bill shines light on unions, opinion column, by Chris Vander Doelen, Nov. 13.
The call for union transparency is coming not from rank-and-file members. It is coming from Canada's economic and political class who don't want workers organizing to challenge them.
Unions have a privileged place in society precisely because they stand as a bulwark against truly powerful corporations and their allies in government. Sure, unions spend money on research into political and economic issues.
They also produce solution-based reports on the impacts on their members and society as a whole. Unions are a way for workers to defend their interests and the interests of broader society.
Also, Canadian labour infrastructure cannot be carelessly compared to other countries because the context of labour relations varies greatly.
The $400 million in tax breaks Vander Doelen mentions are likely compensated for by the decent wages union members spend in the economy. Where would this city be if not for unionized workers?
Do rank-and-file workers grumble about their unions? They sure do, but grumbling doesn't amount to cause for C-377.
I contacted Neil Watson, the portfolio manager Vander Doelen so casually dismisses. Watson's argument is crucial: Bill 377 threatens union members' pensions in an era where all pensions are buckling from underfunding.
Increased costs will force pension and benefit administrators to either cut benefits or increase contributions. This cannot be casually dismissed. Unionized charity pensions are at risk too, and will further be under C-377.
Finally, the transparency so desired will actually open up confidential files on peoples' benefits. Hands up for those who don't mind sharing health information with just anyone?
Let's call C-377 for what it is - a clumsy hatchet job meant to undermine workers' participation in the political affairs of the country with serious collateral damage to privacy and existing pensions and benefit plans.


Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Unions+defend+worker+interests/7568681/story.html#ixzz2CfJMUc63

Bill shines light on unions, opinion column, by Chris Vander Doelen, Nov. 13.
The call for union transparency is coming not from rank-and-file members. It is coming from Canada's economic and political class who don't want workers organizing to challenge them.
Unions have a privileged place in society precisely because they stand as a bulwark against truly powerful corporations and their allies in government. Sure, unions spend money on research into political and economic issues.
They also produce solution-based reports on the impacts on their members and society as a whole. Unions are a way for workers to defend their interests and the interests of broader society.
Also, Canadian labour infrastructure cannot be carelessly compared to other countries because the context of labour relations varies greatly.
The $400 million in tax breaks Vander Doelen mentions are likely compensated for by the decent wages union members spend in the economy. Where would this city be if not for unionized workers?
Do rank-and-file workers grumble about their unions? They sure do, but grumbling doesn't amount to cause for C-377.
I contacted Neil Watson, the portfolio manager Vander Doelen so casually dismisses. Watson's argument is crucial: Bill 377 threatens union members' pensions in an era where all pensions are buckling from underfunding.
Increased costs will force pension and benefit administrators to either cut benefits or increase contributions. This cannot be casually dismissed. Unionized charity pensions are at risk too, and will further be under C-377.
Finally, the transparency so desired will actually open up confidential files on peoples' benefits. Hands up for those who don't mind sharing health information with just anyone?
Let's call C-377 for what it is - a clumsy hatchet job meant to undermine workers' participation in the political affairs of the country with serious collateral damage to privacy and existing pensions and benefit plans.


Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Unions+defend+worker+interests/7568681/story.html#ixzz2CfJMUc63