(This Question, as you know, has been in the News of Late with respect to Air Canada & Canada Post).
But how is it I am answering both Questions in the Affirmative?
Well dear Reader, as you know, I am opposed to public servants having the right to strike in the first place.
- Public Servants are paid by Taxpayers who are viewed by Politicians and Unionists alike as a bottomless money pit. In other words, there is no mechanism in place to bring about discipline settlements; 5 - 10 - 15% settlements fully indexed pensions - what the heck.
Second - Public Servants work in a monopoly situation; there is no one to replace them should they go on strike. In the private sector, should a Marshmellow Plant shut down, there would be other such manufacturers to fill the void. Not so in government.
As a result, Public Servants now work in the best of conditions, receive much better wages and pensions that their private sector counterparts and enjoy enviable job protection (despite the threatened Tory minor cut-backs through attrition).
I could go on and on - but suffice to say - "Yes" I am opposed to Individuals Paid By The Tax Payer having the Right to Strike.
Now the Private Sector is another matter entirely, as I have alluded to above in the Marshmellow example. If Unions there go on strike - so be it. Both sides know - or should know, that if settlements are too generous, competitors in their industry will thrive at their expense. Remember GM?
The only exception to this would be in cases of Monopoly where there is not another organization to pick of the slack so to speak and where the product/ service is of critical importance to the public - e.g. private sector garbage pick-up.
So with that criteria in mind - let's look at Canada Post and Air Canada.
Canada Post first.
CP is a Crown Corp and by any other name a Public Service Organization. But even if one were to call CP a private entity, it would still be a monopoly service, entirely dependent upon you and me to buy its Stamps.
Ergo - I am opposed to its employees having the right to strike - True.
I am also opposed to them being denied the right to strike - True Too.
Been drinking Galagher?
"No".
Currently Employer / Labour Agreements at Canada Post allow for a strike. Those agreements were negotiated in good faith and should be honoured i.e. employees should be permitted to strike at least until it becomes unbearable for the public. The Tories in this regard have acted prematurely - not only was there no time for public suffering to materialize, all indications were that it was unlikely to do so to any serious extent. That was not the case back in the 1960s and 70s but that was then - this is now, with so much electronic transmission available.
So I am in favour of this Strike.
If the Government is desirous of ending the Posties Right to Strike it should do so via legislation that takes this right away from all persons paid by the taxpayer. And of course, I would be in favour of just that.
Now Air Canada.
It was a Crown Corp but now is entirely Private. It is not a Monopoly - there are other airlines to pick up the Slack - so I have no trouble with its Employees walking out and staying out permanently if they so desire.
But again, the Tories acted too fast stating that an AC strike would injure a struggling recovery.
Hogwash.
The only real explanation I have for the Government's fervour here is that they wanted to protect Air Canada - since it is Headquartered in Quebec. Remember the demise of Western based Canadian Airlines - a far superior organization?
Air Canada is struggling and has been struggling for countless years now. One of the reasons is that they retain the Crown Corp attitude after all these years. You know the one where they believe the paying public should be honoured just to fly with them. Their Stock Value is approaching penny stock status.
The Government knows AC cannot handle too many blows and hence steps in before it loses further pax miles to West Jet and Porter.
But it cannot say why it is doing that since it offends the fairness doctrine.
I think what happened here, is that the Tories came out against the strike at Air Canada first - for the reasons I have given above but were not so disposed to do the same with Canada Post. But what followed was legitimate questions as why would they not treat the two companies alike? i.e. order them both back to work.
Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place - the Government's hand was forced to do just that.
So again, Strike or not to Strike - That is the Question
And welcome to the real world of politics Minister Riatt.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
