The Israeli/Pal. War and Canadian Unions

[Cameron]

Protesters call for end to attacks on Gaza

A man crushed his Motorola cell­phone underfoot in Halifax on Satur­day to loud cheers from about 100 peo­ple who gathered to protest Israeli at­tacks in Gaza.

Speakers at the Victoria Park rally urged Atlantic Canadians to boycott Motorola and other companies that have contracts with Israel’s govern­ment and military, and urged Ottawa to denounce the attacks.

The demonstration, one of many similar events across the country Sat­urday, drew a mix of people and groups, including the Canadian Pales­tine Association, the Student Coali­tion Against War, the Palestine Soli­darity Society, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Link

Why are Canadian unions taking part in this war? Why does the Postal Workers Union have any interest in this?

[eyeball]

Perhaps a majority of people in the union feel the same way as the Inde­pendent Jewish Voices who also spoke against Israel’s actions at the peaceful rally.

[moderateamericain]

Perhaps a majority of people in the union feel the same way as the Inde­pendent Jewish Voices who also spoke against Israel’s actions at the peaceful rally.

Or maybe they are just bored.

[KeyStone]

Why are Canadian unions taking part in this war? Why does the Postal Workers Union have any interest in this?

To be honest, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

The union's mandate is to look after their membership - not go off on Crusades for causes that the leaders agree with, but many members do not.

If I were in the union, I would be kind of annoyed that they are spending my union dues for a cause I may or may not believe in.

I think the reason that they are doing this, is because unions, are generally aligned with the Left which is generally aligned with protesting war etc.

So, the union leadership seems to feel justified in assuming the union members are behind them on this.

[Chuck U. Farlie]

I am a member of CUPW and I am not impressed that they chose to voice an opinion about this, especially since us CUPW members were never asked how we felt, so they are not representing us.

CUPW was also an active supporter of the coalition government as promoted by Dion, Layton, and Duceppe - and again, they didn't consider how their membership felt about it.

I would rather that my $68 a month went towards maintaining our relationship with Canada Post than them getting political.

[KeyStone]

I am a member of CUPW and I am not impressed that they chose to voice an opinion about this, especially since us CUPW members were never asked how we felt, so they are not representing us.

CUPW was also an active supporter of the coalition government as promoted by Dion, Layton, and Duceppe - and again, they didn't consider how their membership felt about it.

I would rather that my $68 a month went towards maintaining our relationship with Canada Post than them getting political.

Well, getting involved with Israel/Palestine is really out of their jurisdiction.

However, backing the coalition makes sense, and is acting in the best interests of the union and its members given that Harper's bill that he wanted to bludgeon through would have removed the workers right to strike.

[OddSox]

Well, getting involved with Israel/Palestine is really out of their jurisdiction.

However, backing the coalition makes sense, and is acting in the best interests of the union and its members given that Harper's bill that he wanted to bludgeon through would have removed the workers right to strike.

Like the teachers who are currently threatening to strike for a 12% raise? I thought the coalition said it wasn't about the money... Edited January 12, 2009 by OddSox

[WIP]

The rank and file choose the candidates for union executive based on what they promise to do for the membership, not their political activism. Most union members will cut politically-driven leaders some slack if they are involved in issues that may affect the members, at least tangentially -- but a war going on halfway around the world is not one of them!

By jumping into the Israeli - Hamas War, the leadership of CUPW is disrespecting the views of members who weren't asked for their endorsement of this action.

[Muddy]

It never ceases to amaze me at those who come out to support Hamas and other Arab states against Israel. Lets see now ,there are the communists and Marxists who always show up. I thought they didn`t like religious states. In the Arab world these non believers in Allah would be put to death! Then there are the homosexuals with their rainblow flag bravely flopping in the wind side by side the Hamas flag. Do they not realize they are on the side of those who would kill them for just being ,well, queer! Now the Unions ,thats just great! Do they know what happens in the Arab world when people try and start a Union? Yep! You guessed it! They are killed! Now where in the middle east are these groups all accepted? Hmmm! Oh yes it`s Israel. Makes one wonder does it not !

[ironstone]

Public service union leaders are mainly concerned with more money for themselves,working less,protecting lazy workers,squeezing as much as possible out of non-union taxpayers.

They support democracy(but ONLY when they get their way),free speech(as long as nobody opposes their point of view),they are anti-war(sending unguided rockets into civilian areas is fine,depends on who is doing it).Unions support human rights selectively(they will say nothing about regimes that for instance,deny woman the right to an education).Whether union leaders speak out against something depends largely on the one's doing the action(s) in question.Are the offenders considered right wing or left wing?It makes all the difference in the world,as left wingers generally have a free hand to do anything without fear of protest from fellow left wingers.

As you may have guessed,I have little use for public service unions.

[Mr.Canada]

The left wing socialists hold some degree of contempt for the Israeli nation for some reason. It's unfortunate but true as Sid Ryan's, who is a major leader of the left wing, comments have pointed out. Sad but true