Idiot unions in Toronto - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

CaptainCrunch · 06-23-2009, 12:10 AM

Now the cities on strike, garbage is stacking up, and its over sick days that they get 18 per year and other benefits.

It would be nice if the City fired the workers and bought in the unemployed workers that really want to work. Its time to start crushing these stupid unions.

I have zero respect for a union that refuses to see that in tough economic times the tax payers can't afford your sh$t

4X4 · 06-23-2009, 12:24 AM

You're seriously gonna make me go google this for a link? Pfft...

Alright, I read bits of a couple articles and I'm back to say that while I'm vehemently anti union, I can sometimes understand their frustration at not getting deals done. I think that Cities need to be a little more pro active when it comes to dealing with their unions. Letting it go for six months is bullsh1t. I mean, it's a gamble at best. The city is betting that the lowest on the totem pole are gonna worry about their jobs and income and immediate future and vote to ratify anything they throw on the table. The higher ups in the union are betting that as a mass, the ones with more seniority are going to realize that by sticking it out, they'll get a much better deal... But to hell with the guys on the bottom of the totem pole. Which is why I hate unions. They're no better than the management or government they constantly fight. They're all still in it for themselves. They'll all vote for whatever suits themselves, individually, the best, and to hell with whoever else loses a job or a very important paycheque in the meantime.

HOOT · 06-23-2009, 12:40 AM

I always tell the ambulance workers who are on strike right now that it could be worse and this is probably not the time to be fighting over money. Most people around here know it is an essential service but there are people begging for jobs and are hurting. If I was a union right now I would settle with a decent offer but make the contract short so when things start going upwards again you can ask for more money and time off then.

Resolute 14 · 06-23-2009, 07:03 AM

Unions suck. Location doesn't matter.

metallicat · 06-23-2009, 07:11 AM

I'm unionized, and we sucked it up and got rid of all demands in order to get a small raise. I too am anti union, despite working in such an evironment. As I mentioned in the random thoughts thread, I am sure there are tons of unemployed people who would love to pick some garbage right about now.

Rhettzky · 06-23-2009, 07:47 AM

Pfft, unions rule!! I mean really, who gets a raise during a recession? Me, that's who.

ken0042 · 06-23-2009, 07:55 AM

Saw something on Global today that made me shake my head.

At first it showed the picket line trying to block a worker trying to cross the line. OK, I "get" that part of it. But then they started hassling a guy who was dropping off his garbage at a collection site. WDF? So a citizen should put up with smelly garbage (never mind a health hazzard) so you can get more sick days?

HeartsOfFire · 06-23-2009, 08:01 AM

For all the anti-union attitude that reeks in Alberta, I for one would much rather see union workers overpaid than corporate executive fat-cats. Even though this has nothing to do with wages...

Ahh well, sanitation is a dirty job. Obviously not everyone is willing to do it. Maybe that'll change now?

Resolute 14 · 06-23-2009, 08:17 AM

Except that for the most part, it is tax payers getting raped to feed the arrogance and self-entitlement that unions have.

"Corporate executive fat-cats" feeding off the back of the poor, downtrodden worker is a 19th century footnote of history. In the 21st century, Unions exist for no reason other than to satisfy their own greed. Ironic, really.

CaptainCrunch · 06-23-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeartsOfFire

For all the anti-union attitude that reeks in Alberta, I for one would much rather see union workers overpaid than corporate executive fat-cats. Even though this has nothing to do with wages...

Ahh well, sanitation is a dirty job. Obviously not everyone is willing to do it. Maybe that'll change now?

Garbage, those union workers have no jobs without those "Corporate Fat Cats".

It drives me crazy when people whine and cry and bitch about the Corporate Fat Cats getting paid more then them and getting bonuses.

At least the Corporate Fat Cats for the most part drive companies forward, they don't plunder them pirate style like unions do.

The old saying, we killed the goose that laid the golden egg. Well the Unions tend to have a lot of blood on their hands.

Azure · 06-23-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeartsOfFire

For all the anti-union attitude that reeks in Alberta, I for one would much rather see union workers overpaid than corporate executive fat-cats. Even though this has nothing to do with wages...

Ahh well, sanitation is a dirty job. Obviously not everyone is willing to do it. Maybe that'll change now?

Ah yes, the anti-corporation attitude.

God forbid we cut back the wages from the people who drive our economy. Because last time I checked, unions have been doing nothing else but driving the economy and the market further into the recession.

GreenTeaFrapp · 06-23-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

At least the Corporate Fat Cats for the most part drive companies forward, they don't plunder them pirate style like unions do.

I guess you've never heard of guys like Kenneth Lay, John Rigas or Frank Dunn.

CaptainCrunch · 06-23-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I guess you've never heard of guys like Kenneth Lay, John Rigas or Frank Dunn.

Sure just like I've heard about CUPE, and CAW

Way to paint the wide brush and choose to ignore successful companies with very good executive teams. but people still choose to associate anyone in an executive position with scumbags like the ones above. Who in reality represent an extremely small percentage of white collar executive workers.

But the funny thing is that the Unions don't produce revenue, they don't design and create products, they don't do anything but negatively influence a companies growth, they make products more expensive then they should be. They are the very definition of a parasite.

I would have no problems with the major unions if they lived in anytype of reality. But as much as you can blame executives and bad planning on the demise of the auto industry, the Unions have to take a big steaming spoonfull of poo on this.

In a time when people aren't working, can't find jobs and are tightening their belts, there's the Unions in Ontario.

With all that garbage lying around rotting, if anyone gets sick the first thing that they should do is sue the union. If the strike disrupted my service, I think they should be sued.

mykalberta · 06-23-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

and its over sick days that they get 18 per year

Enough Said. Striking and they already get 18 sick days a year.

I have worked for 5 years and have only taken 1 sick day. And I felt bad for taking it. I guess that only happens when you are actually missed at a job and your coworkers have to work harder to make up for you missing.

Byrns · 06-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Couldn't happen to a nicer place.

bigtmac19 · 06-23-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Saw something on Global today that made me shake my head.

At first it showed the picket line trying to block a worker trying to cross the line. OK, I "get" that part of it. But then they started hassling a guy who was dropping off his garbage at a collection site. WDF? So a citizen should put up with smelly garbage (never mind a health hazzard) so you can get more sick days?

Exact same situation in Windsor right now, all outside workers are on strike. The union is striking because the city wants to discontinue lifetime benefits for new hires. Presently the union members get their benefits paid for life. This won't change for all present employees. No other city in Ontario does this and the city cannot afford it anymore. Union won't budge on this issue.
Union is constantly holding people up at the garbage drop off centre and harrassing downtown businesses who are trying to haul away their own garbage. It's a mess! Soccer and baseball leagues have all been cancelled because all the fields are 2 feet deep in grass. Pretty sad situation.

ikaris · 06-23-2009, 09:31 AM

It's not specifically the number of sick days, it's that they want to be able to bank them if they don't use them and get paid out. WDF???

Frequitude · 06-23-2009, 09:45 AM

If this were in Calgary, I'd be a rich man.

The girlfriend would set up a short term daycare in our home and I'd pick up garbage for $5 a bag.

CaptainCrunch · 06-23-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtmac19

Exact same situation in Windsor right now, all outside workers are on strike. The union is striking because the city wants to discontinue lifetime benefits for new hires. Presently the union members get their benefits paid for life. This won't change for all present employees. No other city in Ontario does this and the city cannot afford it anymore. Union won't budge on this issue.
Union is constantly holding people up at the garbage drop off centre and harrassing downtown businesses who are trying to haul away their own garbage. It's a mess! Soccer and baseball leagues have all been cancelled because all the fields are 2 feet deep in grass. Pretty sad situation.

After a good week of non collection in Toronto there's going to be some trouble.

Personally I would go out for mexican for a week straight, take the biggest dump I could in a black garbage bag, and then fire it at the first union member that tries to stop me from dropping it off.

bigtmac19 · 06-23-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frequitude

If this were in Calgary, I'd be a rich man.

The girlfriend would set up a short term daycare in our home and I'd pick up garbage for $5 a bag.

Yep, some guy that lives a short distance from my sister is taking people's garbage for $2 per bag and going to the drop off with it.