The Political Shift to The Right Affects Workers at the Core of Collective Bargaining in Canada
The truth be told, politics matters to our members and workers in general on both sides of the border and that’s why Canadians have closely watched the outcome of American style politics as our economies are extremely dependent on each other.
The Conservative Agenda
With the decisive victory by Donald Trump in the U.S. Presidential election, Republicans winning control of the U.S. Senate, and the potential of more Conservative wins in Canada, it does not fare well for the middle-class everyday worker. The political shift to the right is running rampant across the globe and the bottom line is that it affects our members and all transit workers’ ability to bargain strong collective agreements in the face of privatization, cost cutting to public services, and reductions of operating funding of public transit.
Following all the rhetoric that preceded the Republican landslide in the U.S. election, we have seen a similar style of politics flowing into Canada. Conservative Leaders are looking at and leaning on Right-wing think-tanks to replicate U.S. election strategies.
Labour Banning Together
This is extremely concerning to Canadian workers as Federations of Labour organizations, Labour Councils, and Union Allies are banning together to defeat the neo-liberal rhetoric that is being spewed by anti-worker legislation and politicians who simply blame workers for rising costs to public services, but not their poor decision making. Ultimately, the approach is to underfund public transit, then criticize it, and eventually privatize as the best solution.
Attempting to hold Unions accountable for winning strong collective agreements that increase costs is just another tactic to preserve the interests of large and multinational corporations that are making record profits on the backs of workers while controlling and investing in the agenda of right-wing politicians.
Canadian Workers
Canadian workers are watching closely and mobilizing at unprecedented levels as we have seen the disappointing outcomes and a narrow win of recent elections in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. “With the threat of a spark election in Ontario and being on
the cusp of a federal election in Canada, we can ill afford to stand idle, we must mobilize, lobby, and workers need to come together to protect the rights and benefits that they deserve and expect.” said ATU Canada President John Di Nino.
Politics matter, and we need to get out and vote for pro-worker and pro-transit candidates who have our interests at heart and understand the importance of investments in public services.