Comments on The Burd Report: Monday Morning

Manfred said, "The bare poles, without the...

2009-07-28T15:18:52.522-04:00
Manfred said, "The bare poles, without the actual antennae, have been up there well over a year now, because I noticed them around sidewalk sale time last year, - so clearly over a year now."

On the lower left side of this faux news item is a photo of the building the day before the antennae went up.

Are council meetings in Cobourg about to change? ...

2009-07-28T00:12:14.313-04:00
Are council meetings in Cobourg about to change?

Apparently, the current CRTC hearings on net neutrality or traffic management were abuzz with "the twitter of public discussion that forced its way into a hearing." So says this Open Media, Open Government story from The Tyee.

"Michael Geist [a net neutrality activist and legal scholar] invited citizens to post questions that they thought the commission should ask Bell Canada -- it appeared that at least one of the commissioners was following online and utilized citizen input when dealing with representatives from Bell."

Gawd...now MSM is to blame for union woes? I dont ...

2009-07-27T17:34:21.300-04:00
Gawd...now MSM is to blame for union woes?
I dont remeber any great support from the union brothers when those poor Cobourg Star strikers were out for 4 1/2 months

The bare poles, without the actual antennae, have ...

2009-07-27T16:20:54.327-04:00
The bare poles, without the actual antennae, have been up there well over a year now, because I noticed them around sidewalk sale time last year, - so clearly over a year now. That means the town has been aware of them as well for that long, and this is no surprise on them. It surely waters down their authority on heritage matters and provides some awfully potent ammunition for other challenges, I'd say.

Here's a Quill & Quire review of the beleaguered Mr. Levant's recent book, Shakedown.

Just a tidbit to whet your appetites:

"Levant is correct that we need intelligent books to examine the role of the HRC in dealing with the tension between free speech and respect for the dignity of individuals and cultural groups. This is not one of those books [WH emphasis]."

Here is one online comment on the G&M story ab...

2009-07-27T15:52:29.074-04:00
Here is one online comment on the G&M story about the VIA strike settlement:

"This is an example of the possible positive outcome from a strike.
"A step in every labour negotiation should be the company and union being offered binding arbitration.
"If only the union refuses to accept binding arbitration the company should be free to hire replacement workers and carry on with business.
"If only the company refuses binding arbitration they should be prohibited from replacing any of the affected union positions until a settlement is reached.
"I bet there would not be many strike situations."

This is an extreme position, but one that may have support with the public. What's the chance that this approach to managing labour disputes for essential services might become an election issue?

Ezra keeps winning against these lawsuits.
2009-07-27T14:41:58.555-04:00
Ezra keeps winning against these lawsuits. here

The Epsteins have sold the building and the new ow...

2009-07-27T12:38:26.799-04:00
The Epsteins have sold the building and the new owners, with Bell just put them up

I don't know much about how commercial real es...

2009-07-27T12:02:20.478-04:00
I don't know much about how commercial real estate rentals work, but if the building belongs to the Epsteins, wouldn't they be ultimately responsible for what goes up on their building? A tenant would need permission to install that stuff wouldn't they?

It does look very out of place, that's for sure.

I wonder if Anonymous has ever considered, just fo...

2009-07-27T11:59:24.022-04:00
I wonder if Anonymous has ever considered, just for a moment, that maybe the reason "union leaders...have failed miserably...to present a strong, positive message about unionism" is because the bearers of that message, the mainstream media outlets, are just a little biased in favour of management and distort the message to suit their own priorities?

Another question for you concerns your claim that your own union "preaches communism". I have never heard any North American union promote communism, and I've been around a long time.

Would you care to share with us what union you are talking about? CSIS wants to know and so do I.

Finally, some advice. Next time your union offers an educational, take them up on it. You need it!

The antennae on the Epstein building are an ongoin...

2009-07-27T09:25:47.794-04:00
The antennae on the Epstein building are an ongoing subject at LACAC. They are Bell equipment, and Town staff are in discussions with Bell as far as I know.

When the issue was first raised with Bell their lawyer sent one of the best bits of legal correspondence ever. It took two pages but essentially said 'F**k off, we're Bell and we can do whatever we want.'

You should try to get a copy!

Anon It must have been management as no union in i...

2009-07-27T09:16:35.692-04:00
Anon
It must have been management as no union in its right mind turns down arbitration in this day and age. If it is not "final offer arbitration" where the arbitrator picks one side or the other, it is manna from from heaven to go to arbitration.

Ben. The unions will always get the blame in tod...

2009-07-27T09:03:18.838-04:00
Ben.

The unions will always get the blame in today's society. By and large, union leaders across the land have failed miserably in their efforts to present a strong, positive message about unionism to the uneducated masses. This is particularly true in the public sector, where hard-assed leaders invariably present themselves as aggressive, confrontational and unabashedly aggrieved at being treated so badly by the paying public. Having said that, Buzz Hargrove and his Polish-Canadian successor, as private sector union bosses, have left me totally cold over the years, insisting that the gold-lined compensation packages of their workers should, indeed, be platinum-lined.

I am a member of a union now, for the first time in my life. It keeps a very low profile, despite a large membership. However, the average wage and benefit packages negotiated by its leadership leaves most members earning close to minimum wage, while the executive banks $75-100K salaries. Methinks that's why they keep quiet. Preach communism, and practice self-centered excess.

The VIA situation is shameful, and you are dead on: three years to negotiate a deal, and both management and the union couldn't find a solution. But it's unfair to imply the recent strike was management's fault alone. There are always two sides to a bargaining table.

Cheers.

Comments on The Burd Report: Monday Morning

Manfred said, "The bare poles, without the...

Are council meetings in Cobourg about to change? ...

Gawd...now MSM is to blame for union woes? I dont ...

The bare poles, without the actual antennae, have ...

Here is one online comment on the G&M story ab...

Ezra keeps winning against these lawsuits. 2009-07-27T14:41:58.555-04:00 Ezra keeps winning against these lawsuits. here

The Epsteins have sold the building and the new ow...

I don't know much about how commercial real es...

I wonder if Anonymous has ever considered, just fo...

The antennae on the Epstein building are an ongoin...

Anon It must have been management as no union in i...

Ben. The unions will always get the blame in tod...

Ezra keeps winning against these lawsuits.
2009-07-27T14:41:58.555-04:00
Ezra keeps winning against these lawsuits. here