Local 138 - St Clair College Faculty Union

LOCAL 138

St Clair College - Faculty Union

"Right To Work" - "Work for Less" - "Right to Freeload" - "Freeride"

(Posted: May 13, 2013)

On Saturday, May 11th, the Windsor District Labour Council put on a well organized Solidarity Conference event at the Caboto Club in Windsor. Over 300 members attended from various union Locals and affiliations. Members from both Local 137 and 138 attended this event.
The purpose of the event was to bring together unions to address the concerns of three private Members Bills that if passed, would fundamentally change the labour relations system and weaken the union movement in Ontario. -- Pick this link for an overview of the proposed anti-union bills

A number of speakers spoke about the challenges that lie before us. One speaker that brought an awakening message forward was Brian Austin from Wisconsin. Brian Austin who is a police officer became involved very early in the protests in response to what he viewed as an assault on the rights of the people he had taken an oath to protect.   As founders of the "Cops for Labour" brigade, Brian and his coworkers worked long shifts on-duty around the Capital and would return to protest as soon as their shifts ended.
There were massive protests of union members as a result of Republican Governor Scott Walker who essentially implemented austerity measures to eliminate a 3.3 billion dollar budget deficit. Under the bill, unions would have to win yearly votes to continue representing government workers, and could no longer have dues automatically deducted from government workers' paychecks. Law enforcement personnel and firefighters would be exempt from the bargaining changes The Local has purchased (2) copies of the movie "We are Wisconsin" which shows the strife that Public Sector workers went through and in the end lost.   Contact the Local if you wish to borrow the movie. -- pick this link to see the trailer “We are Wisconsin”

The Wisconsin austerity "Budget Repair" bill is not part of the private members bills being pushed through the Ontario Legislature. However the private members bills are designed to weaken unions which could eventually provide the way for government to introduce similar bills as those introduced in Wisconsin. After all Wisconsin had a 3.3 billion deficit - Ontario has a 10 billion plus deficit. All Union members need to be concerned and should be prepared to take action to protect their jobs, salaries and benefits.

Progressive Conservative Tim Hudak is not much different than Republican Governor Scott Walker from Wisconsin.   Over the past couple of years, Mr Hudak has made statements to the press about ripping up public sector collective agreements.

Every union member needs to think hard on the potential consequences of the proposed bills. If the bills are supported, weakened unions will have a difficult time to fight off government austerity actions that will result in reduced wages, benefits and pensions. Sitting back and saying there is nothing I can do about it – is not the solution. Members will have to take a stand if bills are passed. Be apprised and prepared !