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Author Topic: Quebec: Dec. 11 'Day of Disruption'
robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195

posted 30 November 2003 07:58 PM      Profile for robbie_dee     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Proposed Quebec labor code changes provoke escalating worker protests (Montreal Gazette)

quote:
Yesterday, CSN president Claudette Carbonneau served notice that she plans to turn up the volume.

Carbonneau called for province-wide study sessions in a "day of disruption" Dec. 11, when CSN members will lay down their tools, bedpans and keyboards in a new round of protest.

"Of course, it will have a disruptive impact," she said.

"And the employers will call their friends in the government and tell them the music has changed," Carbonneau predicted.

As she spoke, a classic tune by the late Quebec rocker Gerry Boulet, Le roi d'la marchette, pounded out over the sound system.

Carbonneau invited the QLF and other Quebec unions to join with the CSN in the Dec. 11 work stoppage.

"We have a government that is attacking everyone, that is going full-speed ahead to pass laws that are anti-union, anti-social, anti-compassion," she added.

"We're not going to let them get away with it - and they are doing it, essentially, with the support of the bosses."



From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
Mick
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2753

posted 03 December 2003 04:24 AM      Profile for Mick        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I think that Dec. 11 will be critical in the fight-back against the neo-liberal attacks by the (neo)liberal government.

With about a week to go, the other public sector union confederations need to get on board and actually carry out the announced 'common front' in an industry-wide one-day strike.

I fear if this doesn't happen, and it might not given the deep divisions in the labour movement, then the Liberals are going to go ahead with their 'structural adjustments' knowing that they won't face a serious, united, province-wide, general strike.

Much like the Ontario Tory government did in 1996, I think that the Quebec liberals are prepared to call a bluff by the labour movement. Without a common-front, province-wide general strike I fear that this will be another huge defeat for workers.

Shut the province down!


From: Parkdale! | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
robbie_dee
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Babbler # 195

posted 03 December 2003 12:50 PM      Profile for robbie_dee     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Charest vows no retreat; Labour Leaders Warn of More Disruption (Montreal Gazette, Dec. 3)

quote:
The premier appealed for calm in the face of mounting opposition to his 7-month-old administration. He denied any responsibility for disrupting Quebec's fragile social peace by proposing to amend the Labour Code to permit more contracting out and consolidate the number of bargaining units in the health system.

A band of protesters barged in to the Gatineau riding office of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Benoît Pelletier yesterday, scattering peanuts on the floor and pasting stickers on the windows and walls.

On Monday, vandals trashed the St. Léonard office of Michel Bissonnet, the speaker of the National Assembly. Rowdy protesters also clashed with security guards at St. Justine Hospital, forcing the cancellation of a news conference Charest and Health Minister Philippe Couillard were to attend.
***
(CSN President Claudette) Carbonneau offered a message to Charest: "If he wants to maintain social peace, he has only to withdraw or slow down controversial legislation and encourage true democratic debate. He doesn't have to revolutionize labour relations in three weeks."

Arthur Sanborn, president of the CSN's powerful Montreal Central Council who attended the St. Justine protest, warned a major struggle is ahead.

"We will fight if they don't decide to get out of the zone of confrontation. We didn't start this problem.

"The premier has decided to take on 1.2 million unionized workers in Quebec, 400,000 people on welfare. ... He's the ultimate person responsible for maintaining social peace and he's doing a very bad job of it up till now."


[ 03 December 2003: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]


From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged

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