From My Bottom Step

LTC Media Release

Received late this afternoon.

To: All News/Public Service Directors
From: London Transit Commission
Date: Monday, December 07 2009; 4:32 p.m.
Subject: LTC Labour Issues

We regret to advise that ATU – Local 741 members have turned down the Commission’s final offer as tabled on Friday, December 5, 2009. No further talks are scheduled at this time. The Commission will remain available should the Mediator deem it appropriate to request further talks noting it believes … Continue Reading

Car “Charges” Picket Line [Video]

At York University in Toronto for the last week the Faculty, Teaching Assistants, and Graduate Assistants have been on strike. As part of their strike action they have taken to erecting “information blockades” on roadways around the University, holding vehicles for two minuets for a quick chat.

Friday, this video of an altercation with one such barricade and a driver was taken by a union supporter and posted to YouTube … Continue Reading

Alt-Journalism, London Style

Paul Berton over at the London Free Press likes to harp about the professionalism of his industry and to make aspersions about citizen journalism, but I think the fact is he’s scared. Scared that his shrunken workforce is no longer capable of turning out a quality NEWSpaper, and scared that the local online community is rapidly evolving into a force that can.
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CUPE’s Poverty Reduction Proposal

CUPE Ontario will make a deputation this afternoon that will propose three policy shifts that the government must make in order to achieve a reduction of poverty in the province… Continue Reading

Liberals Discriminate Against Farm Workers

Ever ready to jump on a populist bandwagon, our electioneering Liberals have re-adopted the 80’s “Good things grow in Ontario” advertising slogan in order to align themselves with the “Eat local” movement. Just in time for the self-promotional summer BBQ circuit.

But maybe, if there was truth in advertising, what the Liberals ought to be chanting is “No good for those who … Continue Reading

LTC Contract Ratified

The LTC Commission has ratified the recently negotiated Memorandum of Agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 741. The new collective agreement covers the period 2006/07/01 – 2009/06/30.

It’s in the Blood

My maternal grandfather, John Michael McGuire, was a native of London and a lifelong resident. A bus operator with the London Street Railway for 25 years, he was also an executive member of the Amalgamated Association of Street Electric Railway and Motor Coach Employees of America, Local 741, and a delegate from that union to the Trades and Labor Council for approximately … Continue Reading