Monday, May 11, 2009

The Left Is Pro-Labour? Not in Nova Scotia

I learned something interesting today. The front page of the Chronicle Herald was the provincial New Democrat leader Darrell Dexter proclaiming he's not in favour of unions. Seems a little bit odd, doesn't it? I thought the NDP was all about protecting workers.

You can read the little blurb here.

Now, he didn't actually say he's not in favour of unions, but actions or lack there-of, are more important than words. In 1979, for some strange reason, the province passed a law that prevented Michelin's employees from forming a union, unless it was across all of its plants. So employees at an individual plant are not able to unionize against their employer. Today in Halifax, in regard to this legislation, Dexter said,"I have no interest in fighting battles that took place ... 30 years ago."

Does anyone else here want to elect someone that is not willing to work at repealing poor legislation simply because of its age? Does anyone else want to elect someone that is supporting legislation that restrict workers' ability to unionize?

This legislation directly benefits the employer over the employee, so you would think it would be getting more support from the fake-Conservatives in our province.

As per normal, though, even those who play to the wants and needs of the impoverished and the middle class are really in the pocket of corporate interests; even on the provincial level.

My list of reasons for not supporting the NDP grows longer and longer. . .

7 comments:

Douglas Porter said...

Did you read the entire article? I don't think so, cause if you did you'd know the basic reasoning behind the NDP's decision. I shouldn't have to explain these things to you if you are thinking.

Josh said...

Sorry, I must have missed it. I just re-read the article and still miss the point where they are pro-labour.

Douglas Porter said...

No, no, Josh, they made a strategic decision about keeping Michelin where it is, which I agree with. Why did they do that? Because your FUCKHEAD philosophy led to free trade, which lead to companies moving their operations to third world countries to pay slave wages. Do you GET IT now?

Josh said...

It doesn't matter. They are limiting the rights of individuals.

Douglas Porter said...

Ah, I see, so you are actually not working in the best interests of the working class.

Josh said...

I'm for the best interests of every individual. No law should prevent labour from organizing under any circumstance.

Douglas Porter said...

"I'm for the best interests of every individual. No law should prevent labour from organizing under any circumstance."

Hey bonhead, if you give workers the right to organize, you have to give employers the right to fire. That ability to fire for any reason gives the employers way too much power and effectively eliminates the ability to form unions. OH BUT I'M SURE YOU ALREADY FUCKING KNEW THAT, EH?