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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Christie Pits Temporary Dump Protest: Beautiful City, Clean City?</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?13675</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:26:53 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>Lala</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Exactly...there is a domino effect.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628294</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628294</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:37:19 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Lala</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Yes, Mike W...YES....I've seen what you say over and over again...and not just in businesses that have gone under but businesses that are currently struggling.

Union Reps often care less about what they're doing than how they look to their members. They'll fight for the loudest and throw others who deserve to be protected under the bus.

A union is a business like any other.
If one of their members is on the verge of losing their home and has to cross the picket line, the union and other members will make them suffer more than any employer could.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628293</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628293</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:30:25 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Mike W</title>
<description><![CDATA[
There's so much entitlement here it makes me sick.
I don't care if you have more or less I care that you're stopping services and preventing people from doing it themselves by picketing dump sites.
I care that you're claiming your working for workers rights when workers not in your goddamn union just want their garbage taken out, the services they pay taxes for.
I care that this is all in your own self interest and the public at large is just your leverage.

Economic downturn excuse? Tell that to the businesses that have folded and the people who've had to fired longtime loyal employees because they just can't afford it. Because I assure you it's not just "The Man" out to get you.

I worked without a union just fine until they came in and forced the management to give hours to seniority over skill, no matter how lazy and incompetent and rude they were, and with job security of course. I had practically no hours and had to leave anyways, and that place of business went to s**t. The union heads taking a cut of my paycheck weren't looking out for me.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628260</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628260</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:54:57 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>April</title>
<description><![CDATA[
So much of this arguing is happening because people are fed up about the garbage issue. While this may represent only a small portion of the workers, it represents a large portion of the impact. So while it may be factually incorrect to be putting the majority of the blame on the shoulders of the garbage collectors, it's rational from a citizens perspective. I am sure the people affected by not having day care are pretty pissed too, there's just a lot less of them

I will repeat: So much of this arguing is happening because people are fed up about the garbage issue. The resulting arguments (who is right and who is wrong, what the union does or does not deserve) is a result of peoples rational inability to respect a union who does not respect the people of Toronto. You want us to support you and give you the respect that you argue that you deserve? Then give the people respect, and let us deal with the mess we are in, because of BOTH parties, the city AND the union. 

And re: "It is wrong to attack the working people we are the ones who keep this city running." Please. Feel free to argue that your jobs are important. They are. Running the parks, day care, garbage collection, etc.- no one needs to be reminded that these are important services. However once you take the stance that your jobs are MORE important than people in private sector, non-unionized jobs, you loose even more support. From the sounds of it, you seem to put yourselves above all other professions, unionized or not. Again, how does the union expect to get respect, when this is the sentiment that I have seen in many pro-union posts on here. You job is important. It is not more important than mine, no matter what I do. 

Re: "I want to explain to you that the union is not asking for anything extra they do not want to give things that were negotiated for years and years." When I started my job, we got bonuses. It had always happened in the history of my company, for pretty much as long as anyone could remember. It was not contractual but it was an unwritten rule. Until the economy hit the shitter. No more bonuses. People weren't happy, but they understood. This is a sign of the times. Things change. Just because you were given something in the past when times were good does not entitle you to get it in the future. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628248</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628248</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:18:16 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
we are not holding anyone hostage we are fighting for the working class. Its to bad your company tossed you out but they must have used the old "economic downturn" excuse. that excuse has to end it is bullcrap.  If you are working class u will supprt the fellow worker. Why do people want everyone to have less?why do people want nobody to have more then them? absolutly pathetic the workers deserve more and dont deserve to be thrown out the door
maybe the next time you find work you will form a union to protect your rights. i worked in the private sector for 10 years before workong for the city and I once hurt my back(construction) I was let go with the excuse that there wasnt any work (this during the biggest boom ever) all because I hurt my back and was no longer valid to them. If you people want to work under those circumstances them by all means go ahead. I choose to be united and fight for workers rights]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628239</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628239</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:50:08 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Alogon</title>
<description><![CDATA[
We know more than just garbage is on strike and I think those people are getting too sweet a deal too. Have you ever tried to get good service from the public sector? Damn near impossible. And what public rinks are you referring to? A 2007 Toronto Star article has this to say about rinks "Most respondents took time to explain their choices at some length, with several themes emerging, led by this one: Clean matters. The No.1 negative was poor maintenance, dirty washrooms and general lack of cleanliness." http://www.thestar.com/article/173275 and I know I heard not too long ago that many rinks were in rough shape. The rec centres can be in equally bad shape, trust me.
And as for water testers, Walkerton showed how that can go. Snow removal is contracted out, our streets are in really bad shape, gardening is questionable, and I could go on. EMS does rock for the most part though.
The union is asking for more when the auditor-general says that the city's contracts are out of line with the rest of the municipalities. They already had too much and won't let it go. So more was already on the table. They are asking for more cost of living increases and all the other negotiations (hostage takings) were out of whack anyway.
As for the word "fair" you and the union toss around, that is a relative term and I ask you to define "fair". Fair as compared to what? Not having a job and paying more property tax to be poorly served and insulted?]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628238</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628238</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:49:51 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Well if there was no unions there would be alot more people in your shoes.  To bad your company just got rid of you when you were no longer needed.  Happens all the time in the private sector people just get tossed out the door.  ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628236</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628236</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:40:47 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>ender</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I just spent the last 6 months unemployed, and nearly homeless. Denied for nearly any sort of 'assistance' from the government. literally unable to eat for days sometimes ..........

i'll take your job if you don't want it.  i'll take it with no paid sick days. I'll run the meetings for people if you'd like. In this economy, I'll take what I can get. The counsel isn't holding the city hostage. You are.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628235</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628235</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:34:44 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Private contractors were proven to be more expensive when it was tried in east york get your facts straight. As far as GM it was the WHITE COLLAR that did them in please again the internet has many fact that you can research
Blaming the WORKERS is the wrong thing to do and AGAIN the garbage workers only consist of 1000 of the 24000 people on strike THIS IS ABOUT MORE THEN GARBAGE.  It is wrong to attack the working people we are the ones who keep this city running. It is also against the law to replace us so again check the facts. We are alos the people who test your water,who run the arenas and rec centers for your kids,who run city hall as counsel cant run their meetings without the clerical staff,pot holes,water mains,street sweeping,gardening,ketting the needles and glass out of the sandboxes,snow removal,also thousands and thousands of proffesional including EMS workers engineers,city planers. I want to explain to you that the union is not asking for anything extra they do not want to give things that were negotiated for years and years. How can the city expect this when they have settled 5 different contracts and given counsel a raise. if you choose in your workplace to give in and let it happen that is your choice. By having a union it prevents the little guy from taking the hits. We also live in this city and pay taxes, it is alos very hard for us to succeed in this city. keep bashing the workers if it makes you feel better, you should be focusing on counsel who cant even run meetings without us meanwhile they are getting paid (including thier raise) to not even go to work ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628225</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628225</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:16:28 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Lala</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Wow...I'm consistently amazed at how out of touch with the real world that many city workers are. Take a lesson from GM and look and see where this is taking your jobs.
After this strike, all those who can will move to private removal companies...and with the angry responses from residents to their city councilor's  perhaps even private contracts for residential pick up. Constantly holding the taxpayer over the barrel does not endear unions to the average person...most people can't empathize with your plight because they don't have jobs, or don't get half of what you do in the first place. 

That whole "the man is holding us back" argument is old, and doesn't really hold water in a country where even the poorest of the poor and homeless live better than 70% of the rest of the world.
Get a grip. 
]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628188</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628188</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:04:45 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
If you look around many many different companys are having cutbacks and benefits being slashed andd this is a horrible thing. But look at the facts Canada is nowhere near as bad as the MEDIA makes it sound. How many people have to work 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet while the fat cats drive there caddys and spend extra days at there cottage or on vacation off the backs of the workers. It is time that the cutting back stops if it doesnt people with have to work 4 and 5 jobs due to the shrinking wages and hours. Look at Nortel the CEO gets MILLIONS and the workers get ZERO. If you are reading this and are just a working class person this fight is for you as well]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628176</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628176</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:47:45 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Of course the union looks like the bad people in this because peoples need are not being met.  It is not just the fire dept and police unions that have settled it was also the toronto housing, toronto hydro,ttc,and the elected officials that got a fair deal. People keep saying the union is greedy meanwhile this is NOT about more it is about things that were negotiated for decades.  This goes to show you how important the 416 union is as they keep this city clean as is shown as being a world class city.  Do you think that strikers are happy being on a picket line? Give your head a shake nobody is getting paid a dime for 10 days then a tiny 40 dollars a day. Why do you think Christie Pits is such a lovely place to go who do you think picks up after the public and gives the kids a clean safe place to got to. This takes place at every park in the city be it in a rich or poor area. And another fact out of the 24000 people on strike only 1000 of these workers are garbage truck workers, there are 23000 other people you need to realize this many of these people are proffesionals working in public service. How many of you guys have kids in hockey? Ever played in a city run arena. Always spotless and safe for everyone to enjoy. Rec centers spotless and safe for everyone to enjoy. There is no room for rollbacks after city council who by the way is enjoying there new raise by not working as they cant do there job without the clerical staff on strike think about. Whats more important to you your council who does nothing or the workers on the FRONT lines who keep this city going]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628174</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628174</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:41:42 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>ender</title>
<description><![CDATA[
10 dollars a bag?? I'm a poor barely employed person. PFFT. I already pay taxes.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628023</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628023</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:13:43 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Heather</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Here's what you can do with you garbage.
  http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/658609

1) Solves your hassle
2) Proceeds to a great charity.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628016</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628016</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:02:09 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Alogon</title>
<description><![CDATA[
We already do "realize the work the union does" that's why we don't want to cave to their demands and we want concessions. The bankable sick days never should have been given. Job security is a myth in the real world so making it an issue in this strike is ridiculous, That gem forces the city to keep people for life, regardless of their utility, after working for 10 years. The city only wants to take away the extravagance from the contracts and line them up with reality and the union talks as if they were asked to give their legs.
"for the 416 union to accept consessions(sic) would be a loss for the entire working class" How is that? The union already does better than the majority of the working class. How does public sector employee benefits help private sector workers? How would we be hurt?
Councilors should give back their COLA and all city unions should renegotiate new contracts with concessions (except non-union staff who just accepted the hit and are picking up the slack right now) - especially the lame police we have who do nothing and watch their union buddies bully the public illegally - blocking dumps, clean-up crews and allegedly physically assaulting at least one man, David Chung. 
Our city is held hostage by one union after the other. It has nothing to do with socialism, so please ease up on that riff, this is pure, dyed in the wool, capitalist greed exhibited by these unions.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628011</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628011</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:50:07 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>ender</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Sorry, but the other contracts? The police contracts you mean? the firefighters?? Hmmm. I'm not sure they're in the same league.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628009</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628009</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:42:39 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Lala</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I don't think that the union is endearing itself to the public at this time.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628002</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c628002</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:01:46 PDT</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>ddt</title>
<description><![CDATA[
bullshit it's about greed and bullying.....strike all you want, sure but get the hell out of the way of people trying to keep the city clean and dump their trash,you don't own the dumps you idiots, the citizens that pay for them do.....just like those nice easy cranes on the sides of the trucks, to make your job easier....don't like how much you're bein payed, not happy with the benefits?Well,go back to school like the rest of us would have to and incur even more debt..]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c627847</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c627847</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:30:54 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
maybe after all of this people will realize the work the union does]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c627833</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c627833</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:35:53 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
for the 416 union to accept consessions would be a loss for the entire working class. especially after 5 other contracts were settled without any changes, this ontop of counsel giving themselves more.  the workers care about there workplace and a major reason christie pits is a great park is because of 416  this will end when the public demands the city be fair]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c627831</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/06/christie_pits_temporary_dump_protest_beautiful_city_clean_city/#c627831</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:29:17 PDT</pubDate>
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