Caught in the middle: Toronto's municipal worker strike takes its toll on a local parent
- June 23, 2009 2:23 PM |
- By Your Voice
Submitted by Suzanne Wilson
About/Bio: I am one of the parents left without daycare during the municipal workers strike.
My take: Let me begin by saying that the level of care my son receives at his city-run daycare is fantastic and if it were up to me, all of his (highly skilled) teachers and care workers would earn twice what they do now.
However, this strike is potentially devastating to many parents.
Fortunately, my husband works freelance from home, so we are able to cope, although with a reduced income.
What I'm more concerned with are parents with limited resources who are now scrambling to find back-up daycare for days that they have already paid for.
City payment policies mean that all fees are due a minimum of 30 days in advance — meaning we've all been billed through the end of July. We have been told that we will be credited the daily fee for the strike days, but that does nothing for parents who must now potentially float additional care not budgeted for — while waiting for the strike to end and their days to be "credited" back to them. As it is, city daycares are at the high-end of the fee spectrum.
In addition, all city daycares shut down for two weeks each summer, so most parents save holidays or make back-up arrangements to cover that time and we don't have a lot of flexibility on that front. Those closures will take place regardless of the strike.
I am torn between support for the staff at our centre and the fact that many parents are truly vulnerable here and are getting no support in dealing with it.
If a strike drags out, this could have a serious toll. As any parent in Toronto knows, finding acceptable child care is extremely difficult, so changing centres (unless you've already been on a waiting list for anywhere up to a year) is not an option.
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Comments (23)
After reading some of the comments here I think I would like to becoming a garbage man, NOT because they are paid well and not because they have a great job but because I respect them even more now. And they do work hard. Have you ever watched them, I mean really watched them work? It's a tough job in all kinds of weather. All they are asking is to keep what they have. They're not asking for more money.
It's interesting to watch the government pit the tax payers against the garbage men and the government sits back and watches the fight insue but the government takes no blame. This problem is really all about cutting down the working class. Our government has been cutting the legs out from under the working class for years. This problem all stems from WORLD BANK policies and WORLD BANK incompetence but the tax payer blame the garbage men.and the rich sit back and laugh while we squable among ourselves.
Wait until we're all in the same boat and then complain. It reminds me of a this quote "First they took my neighbours away one by one and I said nothing , then they came for my family and they took them away one by one and I said nothing, then one day they came to take me away and there was no-one left to say anything. You rich A_holes better be
I'm the wife of a Garbage man and I just want to point out a few things.
1) MIller is whining about how the city is broke, and that we have to make concessions in hard times. Did the city councilers quietly give themselves a raise and we did not even know about it till it was fate acompli. yes they did
2) This strike is NOT about pay increases. They already agreed to a 3% over 3 years months ago.
3) To everyone who continues to ask why don't the contracts come up in the middle of winter instead of the middle of summer. THEY DO! The contract expires January 1. The city waited .. THE CITY WAITED untll 2 weeks ago to start negotiations. The Union has been waiting on the CITY to negotiate.
4) Other city employees - Police Services & Fire Fighters settled they're contracts with no concessions asked of them.
5) The City has asked for 118 yes one hundred and eighteen concessions from the Garbage men and outside workers. All of those points were hard won during previous negotiations.
6) A Garbage man to need to posses a DZ class drivers lisence. You need to have experience on a DZ class truck. You are then trained on the mechanics of garbage trucks including the hydrolics / rams. You must be able to repeatedly lift 50 pounds.
7) You MUST understand that you will be in the elements, both extreme ( Thunderstorms, hail, snow and blizzards) and mild. You must endure being able to work in 50c barley breathable air and - 50c frigid air.
8) You must then deal with people leaving bins on top of snow mounds or not bagging your green bin mess, people who put out too much or don't know what day they're blue / black bins go out. People who try to hit you with cars because you move too slow.
90% of them are hard workers.
Wife of Garbage Man:
MIller is whining about how the city is broke, and that we have to make concessions in hard times. Did the city councilers quietly give themselves a raise and we did not even know about it till it was fate acompli. yes they did
Actually, it's an automatic pay raise from a 2006 piece of legislation. And councillors are scrambling to get it revoked so that they don't end up being hypocrites.
BTW, I've been meaning to ask...the front steps of CUPE HQ are one of the designated dumping sites, right?
I totally appalled by anyone - anyone who argues that "job security" is a valid reason for striking. In fact, when we're talking about unskilled labour, the proposition that "job security" is a right, is ridiculous.
As for arguing to that police and fire fighters didn't have to make concessions, once again look at the difference in difficulty and training involved to gain employment in those jobs.
When was the last time a garbage worker faced an armed garbage can, or a garbage can on fire? Comparing garbage workers to Police and Fire Fighters is demeaning to the Toronto Police Service and Toronto Fire Services.
Finally, despite having to work in admittedly difficult conditions, I have yet to see a garbage worker who took true pride in their job.
I have repeatedly seen my garbage can recklessly thrown to the ground, had my compost bin smashed from being thrown around, and my bins are repeatedly left in the driveway and on the street blocking access to vehicles.
Worst of all, the striking workers have the nerve to delay and push around respectable citizens trying to follow directions and drop off their garbage at transfer stations.
Unions have gone too far, have fostered a culture of entitlement within their ranks for the lazy and unmotivated, and ensure that otherwise unskilled labour are receiving wages far in excess of people who regularly risk their lives for others.
Here's a suggestion - take all the administrative fees, union dues, and infrastructure involved in supporting/operating unions, and turn all of that into regulatory bodies to ensure our companies and politicians aren't abusing their powers. That's how we should be protecting the public.
Being part of a union that has striking rights (police and firemen do not) guarantees the right to strike for whatever reason union members feel is valid. With the rate of unemployment in this province being what it is (8.4%) job security is an excellent reason to strike.
Garbage workers are not unskilled they are as Wife of Garbage Man said required to posses a DZ class drivers license, and to have experience on a DZ class truck. They are also as she said trained in the mechanics of garbage trucks etc. How many of us can say that we are to operate the hydraulics on a truck of that size, and repeatedly lift 50lbs for our daily jobs?
I agree that some tactics of city workers have been disruptive and unruly. As soon as both parties remember that we're all adults and begin to be reasonable I'm sure they'll be able to come to a good compromise.
Also I just wanted to say one thing about the working conditions of garbage workers. I know that they endure some really bad weather but I'm from Winnipeg (where garbage collecting is contracted out and way more expensive) and I'm wondering when was the last time it was -50c in Toronto?
Regardless of why the garbage collectors are on strike, piles of rotting garbage are a Health Hazard, and the longer the strike runs, the more tourists will stay away.
This will affect the hospitality industry which has already been hit by the recession. I personally think garbage collectors shouldn't be allowed to strike has the have a huge impact on the health and image of the city.
Seems to me that our government including municipal would have us all scapegoating to take the focus off themselves and their expense accounts and perks.
This strike is horrible. The garbage is a health hazard. But ask yourself how much money you have in the bank at the end of the month? Did you lose money during the crash in October? We are all suffering financially and I don't think going on strike because you need every penny you make and your benefits is wrong.
Would you want to go out every day in God knows what weather and collect garbage? If these workers are so unskilled as people are deeming them why are you complaining so vehemently about your trash not being picked up. It is an essential service that is why! They provide an essential service.
Support your neighbour and do your best to work with the strike. If you have complaints aim them at the city and not the people who remove your smelly trash day in and day out.
Have a backyard Canada Day barbecue and invite your neighbour the santation worker.
I have no argument with the difficult conditions faced by garbage workers. It's a tough, tedious, and often thankless job.
But here's my issue:
Privately contracted garbage workers work in the exact same conditions. For a lot less pay. And no bankable sick leave. With a lot less whining.
And without harassing the public or breaking the law (which, let's be honest here, is exactly what the striking workers are doing by blocking off authorized dump sites).
If they can suck it up and do the job in the private sector, there's no reason why municipal workers in the same capacity cannot.
I can understand that garbage in an important subject, but this story is about child care. It would be nice if there was a little focus. I really feel sorry for the parents that have been affected by this strike.
Not only do they have to find new arrangements, but they also have to find the money to pay for it. Many lower income parents rely on government programs to help pay for care. now they are on the hook to pay more than they can afford at another location, or have to stay home and not any income at all.
I read that over 400 students are out of work on centre island because ferry services are cancelled as a result of the workers' strike.
These students all lost their jobs because they work on a park run by the city of Toronto.
With the Ontario economy struggling through the worst recession in 25 years, you would think that the Premier of Ontario would think about legislating the unions back to work so that those not directly involved with the strike don't end up losing their jobs permanently this summer.
The unions chose to strike, but these students have nothing to do with the strike, they are just in the wrong place this summer.
Shame on the unions, the Mayor of Toronto, and if you're not doing anything soon, shame on you Mr. Dalton Mcguinty. How much money did you spend saving those jobs in the auto industry? Can our economy afford to lose another 400 jobs unnecessarily?
Also, how much does it affect the economy when more than 25,000 city of Toronto workers are not getting paid during the strike? What is the multiply effect of 25,000 pay cheques?
I'm the parent posted above. It's now two weeks without child care and I don't know what we are going to do. We've been hearing everything from another week to another three weeks - which would take us up to the scheduled annual daycare centre closure from July 27th to August 10th. We're looking for back-up care (again, we've already paid the city for up to the end of July!) but have had no luck so far. How are other parents coping?
I am not going to comment on if it is right or wrong for the workers to strike, and I know that there are child care issues that cannot be resolved easily and are very unfair to parents and children, but I am going to offer a solution to the trash on the streets to both residents and businesses.
FIrst, don't try to stuff another Tim Horton's cup into a city garbage can that is over flowing and not being emptied any time soon...walk a few steps, enter a coffee shop or fast food restaurant and drop it in their garbage, hell you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Tim's in this city.
And to the businesses who provide food in disposable cups and containers, Tim's, Coffee Time, SecondCup, McDonalds and Pizza Pizza...you know who you are!! It's time for you to step up NOW! Offer deep discounts for those using travel mugs or tupperware during the strike. Get together and organize a city street clean up, the workers are on strike, not their equipment...contact David MIller and arrange for some brooms and bags and get out there, either pay your existing staff or hire the what 8.4% un-employeed to get out there and clean up the garbage, you may not have actally dropped it but if it has your logo on it, you are part of the problem.
And finally to any business that has a city garbage can directly in front of your business, clean up your sidewalk, just because it's a city can does not mean you can ignore the trash overflowing on to sidewalk...it's like snow removal, it's your responsibility!!!
Just my 2 cents on getting through this until they come to a fair agreement. If everyone does a bit we can keep it together.
It no longer matters which side of this garbage strike is right or wrong, the bottom line is accumlating garbage in a city of our size is a serious health risk.
If we were in the middle of an intensely hot summer, which we are not, the situation would be critical. No one, whether it be the politicians, unions or individual garbage worker has a right to risk the health of millions of people. I believe in a democracy the rights of a few do not take precedence over the rights of many.
As for those who rant about how the rich are sitting back and laughing...well thank God we have as many rich as we do, there are plenty of countries in this world in which the wealth belongs to a very limited few.
As I walk through my beautiful neighbourhood I am truly grateful for my little 1,400 square foot home. No, we are not rich but in comparison to what most other people in this world have, we are. We are rich in natural resources. When I get depressed about this cold, wet summer I remind myself that Canada has one of the largest fresh water supplies in the world. The air I breath isn't anywhere near as polluted as other major cities.
Heck, how many people live in houses with lawns and gardens and trees only 20 minutes from the centre core of a major international city?
I'm sure the garbage men feel justified, the union feels justified and the city feels justified, we all have our justifications for what we do or fail to do. Doesn't this all just remind us of a family of squabbling siblings.
Where is the parent, the voice of reason, the authority in all of this? The voice with the authority to say, this needs to end because it is harming us all.
Only in Canada do unskilled garbage workers earn so much money.
Are you freaking kidding |me? Most of the people that I know with Masters degrees hardly earn that much money.
I don't know why I bothered going to University and spending so much money. I should have just been a garbage worker.
And shame on you for this stupid strike. How many parents are going to lose their jobs because of you and your stupid strike. Get real! Who the hell gets 18 sick days? Waste management should be privatized!
Dear Suzanne,
I understand what your going through. Went through the Teacher's strike in 2002. My ex took our children every 2nd weekend which allowed me to hold down 3 p.t jobs, thank goodness. And my mom was close by.
Although, some things have not changed,
CUPE hopes to attain it's sympathy through the taxpayer in blaming the lack of negotiation on elected municipal and provincial government.
Perhaps the individual union member, who voted for this strike, requested by CUPE, will need to re-evaluate the cost, to the greater good of it's fellow Canadian's.
This complete abandonment of responsibility and continued blame on the NON-UNION CANADIANS, does absolutely nothing to help any cause.
Don't you dare blame your strike, on me, or my family.
Seems to me, CUPE and CAW are the dictators.
Dear Fiona,
Let me qualify that I am not a union supporter but I am very critical of how Miller and the councillors have mishandled and ignored contract negotiations since January.
What a job is worth is not always equated with education. You are always free to enjoy the benefits of your master's degree as you see fit.
You are also free to become a garbage man if the wages are so attractive to you - why haven't you then? I'll tell you why. Because like many of us, who wants a dirty job that comes with little respect from citizens.
What is this mindset where we see others prosper, decide they don't deserve good working conditions and salary all because we don't have the same?
At a time when many are losing jobs, should we not at the very least have sympathy for those who are trying to keep theirs? I think your logic is weak.
I agree with Waste management being privatized.
Either way it's going to cost money, either way it's not going to be cheap... either way, people will always complain.
Let the private companies bid for contracts... at least Torontonians won't have to pay taxes AND suffer a strike (which happens like what? every year?)
Stay Strong Miller. Unions are not healthy for the city.
Garbage sucks. Unions suck more.
for the long term viability of Toronto stay strong.
I would seriously like to know what are my rights, regarding picket lines and strikers. As far as I am aware I am free to move about this country and conduct my legal affairs unencumbered. Yet for some reason striking CUPE members are able to get in my face, threaten, intimidate and physically interrupt my life. WHY do I have to wait, WHY do I have to respect their picket line to dump my own garbage. At what point can I physically defend myself? I know that in ANY other situation when someone behaves the way these pickets have they would be charged with mischief at the very least and quite likely would get a well deserved punch in the face!!!
I live in the GTA area. I like to know why the GTA always get hit with all the increases such as our vehicle sticker, we had to pay extra $60.00 on top of the $74.00 = $134.00 annual per auto.,
Garbage bins, for me I have to pay $190.00 per year depending on the size of the bins you need., Land transfer tax., auto insurance and etc......where none of this affecting the 905 residents.
Will we get reimbursed for the garbage collection since they are on strike????????
How can you garbage workers even compare yourselves to fire and police workers? Are you out everyday ensuring the safety of Toronto's citizens? Are you saving people's lives? NO
What you are doing is disrupting the city and destroying its reputation and hurting the tourism industry at a time when Toronto can use the revenues more than ever.
All you can do is complain that your cushy public jobs are not good enough.
Demanding pay raises (I do not care when the agreement was initially made, times have changed) and bankable sick days when workers in the private sector are accepting wage freezes and reductions (if they have been able to keep their jobs) IS RIDICULOUS!
I DARE any of you to enter the private sector and see what the REAL WORLD is like. If you think you are being treated poorly, wake up, look around, be aware of what is going on. If you are looking for respect from the public you are going about it the wrong way, you should be ashamed of yourselves, you are an embarrassment!
STOP HOLDING THE CITY HOSTAGE!
What goes around, comes around.Karma will punish each and every CUPE member for causing pain, discomfort, inconvenience, toxic smell etc for their greedy needs.
Strike should be a last resort, they gave decent workers bad name. They will suffer for their actions for years to come.
I am not a member of the union but I fully support the garbage workers. It's totally Miller's fault that they're on strike. These politicians give themselves raises and benefit perks, not to mention a spending roll, and all these garbage workers are asking for is to hold on to what they already won in previous rounds of bargaining.
Want this strike to end soon? Pressure the city to settle with them!!!