Key Union Struggles – Building the Fightback

Toronto — 18 January 2011.

As the economic crisis continues, governments and employers are bringing in austerity measures, lowering our living standards and working conditions. A number of unionized workplaces are particular targets, and have the potential to become key centres of resistance. This forum considers the strategies and political approaches needed to win and is a build-up for the January 29th/30th Workers’ Assembly Labour Conference.

Introduced and moderated by Carolyn Egan, USW Local 8300. Presentations by:

• Mark Ferguson, President of the City of Toronto Municipal Workers Local 416 (bargaining with the new Rob Ford administration in Toronto who has threatened to privatize garbage services);
• Gary Howe, Vice-President of Local 1005 Hamilton Steelworkers (facing a lockout and concession demands at U.S. Steel);
• Marion Pollack, National Representative with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, based in Ottawa. She is a long time activist in the union and in progressive movements.

Organized by the Labour Committee of the Greater Toronto Workers’ Assembly.