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Topic: Buzz Hargrove: Sexism Plagues Canadian Politics
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robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195
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posted 25 May 2005 05:12 PM
quote: A clear barometer of the democratic deficit is the gross under-representation of women in elected public office. Women make up 52% of the population, but hold only 21% of the seats in the House of Commons. At a time when women around the world are making electoral breakthroughs, here in Canada women have been stalled for more than a decade. Canada stands 31st among world democracies, behind Turkmenistan, Tanzania and Vietnam, according to Equal Voice, an all-party advocacy group working to elect more women.So it is with frustration and sadness that Canadians this week witnessed the spectacle of the attacks against Belinda Stronach. Clearly there are polarized views about her decision to switch from the Conservatives to the Liberal party. Some reacted with glee, some with relief, some with outrage, almost all with shock. Stronach would have known that her actions would provoke serious criticism from some quarters. But the sexist name-calling hurled at her was a disgraceful throwback to a time most of us thought had long ago, and deservedly, ended.
Read the rest: National Post 05/24/05 This is interesting, both because of the topic and also because of the source. [ 25 May 2005: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]
From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001
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Noelle
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5479
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posted 25 May 2005 08:32 PM
Magna is not a union shop, so Buzz had nothing to gain. The CAW us a long time advocate of woman’s rights.Edited to add; Not to nitpick, but Buzz's bosses are the dues paying members. [ 25 May 2005: Message edited by: Noelle ] [ 25 May 2005: Message edited by: Noelle ]
From: Ontario | Registered: Apr 2004
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robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195
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posted 25 May 2005 09:14 PM
Windsor, November 10, 2001: CAW Ratifies First Contract at Magna quote: After 14 years of struggle, the workers at Magna Corporation's Integram plant in Windsor are now full members of the Canadian Auto Workers with a three year contract. Despite being a first contract, the agreement included major gains in wages and was ratified by 86 per cent of the workers. CAW Local 444 President Ken Lewenza said the wage gains were significant."Just look at the first year, a 5 per cent wage increase, second three, third three. The average wage increase in the Province of Ontario today is around 2.2 per cent and that's without signing bonuses and that's without retroactive pay. "So when you add up the total amount of money that we put into this collective agreement, it is around 16 per cent in terms of additional labour costs to Magna so this is a significant economic agreement that we have presented our members today." The CAW and Magna agreed to suspend their fight at the Labour Board over the union certification of the workers. In order to get to the bargaining table, the bargaining committee agreed to a no strike no lockout provision. While that slowed down the bargaining, Lewenza said it didn't effect the quality of the settlement.
From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001
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cco
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 8986
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posted 25 May 2005 09:21 PM
quote: Originally posted by Kinetix: 1992 and the 1970s, respectively. While Vietnam has been consistantly ruled by the communist party for a significant period of time, that government is elected in a democracy.Whether or not those democracies are equitably structured, accessible, and fair, I do not know, although I do know that even our own system does not meet those requirements.
You're kidding, right? Neither country allows opposition parties. Turkmenistan has a cult of personality around Saparmurat Niyazov (who also ran the country when it was the Turkmen SSR under the Soviet Union) that would have made Stalin blush. Vietnam and Turkmenistan rank 161st and 164th respectively (out of 167) on the RSF press freedom index. Both sit on Freedom House's "worst of the worst" list next to Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Myanmar. The Canadian "democratic deficit" is in another category altogether.
From: Montréal | Registered: Apr 2005
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Noelle
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5479
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posted 25 May 2005 09:53 PM
Robbie Dee; I had forgotten about the Windsor plant, a first step for the CAW. quote: Magna has no union presence at more than 60 plants in Canada. However, the United Auto Workers represents employees at some company operations in the United States
http://tinyurl.com/7gpkk
From: Ontario | Registered: Apr 2004
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robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195
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posted 25 May 2005 11:09 PM
Thanks for the link, Noelle. Giving up the right to strike for six years is a pretty big concession. Although in light of Magna's union-busting efforts it may have been worth it to get their foot in the door.I realize that the CAW has strong policies on women's rights. But still, the situation with Stronach is an interesting one for a union to get involved in. Now that Buzz is making all nice, I hope that the CAW will be getting something in return... [ 25 May 2005: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]
From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001
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