Layton & Hargrove

[August1991]

Le Devoir's editor has written a devstating article about the NDP in Quebec. he basically argues that Layton has given up on Quebec and is orienting the NDP's efforts towards English Canada:

Le NPD est devenu le centre de l'attention des médias depuis que son chef, Jack Layton, a monnayé l'appui de sa formation au gouvernement du premier ministre Paul Martin. L'entente conclue avec les libéraux confirme que le Québec compte pour bien peu dans la stratégie néo-démocrate en vue des prochaines élections.

Le Devoir

This Layton-Martin deal is bad in Quebec for three reasons: first, it supports the Liberals. Second, a large chunk of spending encroaches on provincial jursidiction. Third, it doesn't address anywhere the main preoccupations of Quebec.

Descoteaux makes a curious suggestion however. He argues that Layton is following the advice of Buzz Hargrove. This past week's event make that seem plausible.

Organized labour pushed the deal aggressively, threatening to withdraw its support for the New Democrats if Mr. Layton favoured an early election.

Canadian Auto Workers leader Buzz Hargrove played a key role in the negotiations as a go-between and, in fact, delivered a forceful message at the 11th hour on Tuesday to Mr. Martin.

Globe & Mail

Buzz Hargrove, president of the Canadian Auto Workers, told a CAW meeting in Montreal the NDP had failed to make gains in Quebec and should consider working with the popular Bloc in a left-wing alliance in the Commons.

London Free Press

The unseen hand in this Layton-Martin deal may well be the Auto Workers union. I find this odd. Perhaps Layton simply lacks the staff to be able to negotiate at this level and has turned to Hargrove for help.

[Bakunin]

This is the funny thing about canadian politics. Its all about a managing compromise from all the province. They just can't win quebec without losing something else in return.

It should be based on cooperation and win-win situation... It should be a natural and friendly partnership.

[Guest eureka]

The policy of the NDP has been to give "Quebec" what "Quebec" wants. That is the major reason that I have not been able to support the party for a long time.

This is just Le Devoir.

[cybercoma]

It's a sad day in Canada when the Union dictates to the government how to run. Someone needs to let Hargrove know that as hard as he tries, the members of his unions don't always vote the way they're told.

Ah, who the hell am I kidding, the morons in this city voted in 2/2 ridings for the NDP (Joe Comartin and Brian Masse)

[Black Dog]

It's a sad day in Canada when the Union dictates to the government how to run. Someone needs to let Hargrove know that as hard as he tries, the members of his unions don't always vote the way they're told.

Right, when every good Conservative knows it's the corporations who should be calling the shots.

[August1991]

It's a sad day in Canada when the Union dictates to the government how to run. Someone needs to let Hargrove know that as hard as he tries, the members of his unions don't always vote the way they're told.

Right, when every good Conservative knows it's the corporations who should be calling the shots.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Comparing a union to a corporation is akin to comparing Microsoft to a website.

Corporations are based entirely on voluntary relationships. Managers of corporations cannot force customers to buy their products, nor shareholders to pay their salaries. Everyone involved with a corporation, whether employee, shareholder or customer, is free at every instant to walk away.

Don't believe me? Have you ever bought a new car? (And car manufacturing is frequently cited by the Left as an example of oligopolistic capitalist collusion.)

Now, compare that with unions. Union dues are compulsory and employers are required by law to hire union members. Unions are state-sanctioned monopolists.

-----

How is this relevant to the NDP? I don't know exactly and that's why I started the thread.

All manner of people tell politicians what to do. According to some, PM PM only listens to Paul Desmarais. Some might argue that Layton only listens to Buzz Hargrove. And Harper, I guess, listens only to God.

It is really dumb though to believe that unions speak for the "poor and dispossessed" while corporations speak for the "rich fat cats".

[Black Dog]

Corporations are based entirely on voluntary relationships. Managers of corporations cannot force customers to buy their products, nor shareholders to pay their salaries. Everyone involved with a corporation, whether employee, shareholder or customer, is free at every instant to walk away.

Your analogy is bunk because the same relationship applies to unions. Don't want to be a union member? Then walk away.

It is really dumb though to believe that unions speak for the "poor and dispossessed" while corporations speak for the "rich fat cats".

Didn't say that, did I. Unions, like all human institutions be they corporations, churches or community leagues are hierarchal and prone to corruption. I've no doubt unions have their flaws, but I'd hate to imagine a world without them.

[August1991]

Your analogy is bunk because the same relationship applies to unions. Don't want to be a union member? Then walk away.

That's the wrong comparison.

If General Motors wants to hire a pipefitter or you want to hire a plumber, GM and you cannot walk away to the other side of the street. If I don't want to eat at McDo or buy a Saturn, I can cross the street.

Unions rely on the State (labour laws) for their monopoly position. So, I can understand why a unionist would want to be close to political power. But I suppose Bell Canada, Telco, Rogers and Videotron would have similar reasons to be close to politicians.

In the Layton-NDP shopping list, I was struck at how much it seemed to be an urban Ontario list.

[cybercoma]

It's tough to imagine a world without unions. Y'know, where people would actually still have jobs without the greed of unions forcing corporations to lay their employees off so they can make their profit margins.

Or I suppose the world would be much better if all companies were non-profit?