Buyers Beware
Happy New Year ATU!
In the US, another election has come and gone. It is time for us to adjust and continue to fight for our members both north and south of the border. It has often been said, “My Union should stay out of political elections.” Unfortunately, we must live with the results of an election no matter what our political ideology may be. In the States, the election was about our economy, the cost of food, and the difficulty with basic expenses. Many Americans cast their vote for the individual who they felt was best to fix the issues.
While it is still too early to know whether or not the politicians who were elected will address or fix our issues, so far, the reward for working people, especially transit workers, has not been what I believe we need. Federal workforce reduction, tariffs, and trade. The impact on working people’s job security and economic costs. The immigration crackdown and layoffs off federal workers can create job insecurity, especially for industries reliant on immigrant labor and civil services that many Americans rely on. Tariffs can lead to higher prices for everyday goods, affecting the cost of living for working families. More importantly, in the U.S., on the day the current political landscape froze federal grant money, that will impact our members in their pocketbooks and service for our riders.
Upcoming Elections in Canada
At the time of publication, the people of Ontario will be heading to the polls in a preemptive and unnecessary election to capture the momentum of unprecedented political unrest.
Nationally Prime Mister Justin Trudeau’s resignation has set the stage for an inevitable Federal election, with a non-confidence vote likely by opposing parties in this minority Government when Parliament resumes. Following Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from cabinet and a number of departures of senior Liberal members of parliament. Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh now supports bringing down the government therefore accelerating the normal election cycle.
Across Canada every seat in the house of commons will be crucial with voters focused on key issues like the cost of living, and the provinces national importance. Recent polling suggest the Liberals may struggle to retain power amid political dysfunction and dissatisfaction.
I’ve been thinking a lot about our political landscape and the potential impact of electing officials with policies similar to those currently in the States. We are feeling how such policies can lead to economic uncertainty, strained international relations, and other significant challenges.
Stay Informed
I believe it’s crucial for us to consider these experiences when we vote and to think about the long-term implications for our members in Canada. Let’s stay informed and make choices that will benefit us all in the future.
Not only must we participate in politics, but we must also understand that the policies of who we elect affects our paycheck, our industry, our communities, and our countries.