What do you want? To be heard, financially compensated and respected

BY STEVEN KASZAB

The Labor Toronto & York Region Council carried out a poll of some one thousand Torontonians asking them what socially progressive policies they support. There were some responses showing a distinct dislike of the Ford administrations policies.

The handcuffing of Public Wage workers, limiting their pay raises in the past and present too. To limit the public’s “Healthcare and Emergency Heroes ” of worthy pay raises at a time when essential food, housing and living lifestyle costs continue to rise is foolish. What many of our fellow citizens are seeing is that Ontario’s Conservative Government has pivoted on their stance to assist their population no matter what, returning to a policy of rigorous budget balancing and cost cuts. While the hospitals you visit are highly understaffed, the health ministry is making plans to cut costs, whether that be services available, or their limited staff.

Teachers, healthcare workers and all the Public Workers Alliance are going on the war path, with labour actions planned throughout the summer. While the Ford government is not listening to the public’s needs and thoughts, the labor unions are listening to their membership. What have they been demanding?

• Build more truly affordable housing
• Reverse public sector cuts to the transportation and hospital portfolios
• Public spaces and liveable environments in need
• Support our school systems through better access to all government services

Labor unions have been the guiding force publicly, standing against all forms of: prejudice, racism and unequal treatment of our population. Their social map encompasses a great deal, while their opponent the Ontario government’s tunnel vision has returned to an accepted adage, “It’s all about the economy stupid!”

This summer has become the year of “The Big Burn,” and soon it will become the summer of labour unrest, a public crisis the Ford government is not prepared for. The very people who: protected, provided, served, cared for all of us, our children and our communities are going to demand their just returns. Premier Ford’s vision of provincial profitability and control will certainly be challenged by the century old ideology of: socialism, public service and trade unionism.