o.k. vangroovie dwellers....

[edmontonsubbie]

...i have not heard much on the news about the strike that you all are dealing with out there. Is it over? If not, and I presume it's not, what the fuck is going on? Are private contractor's stepping in to fill the void?...omg...the mind reels to think that B.C. would permit private firms to do such as that....

so, what's the deal?

eddie.

 

[kafka555]

Well, first off, only the City of Vancouver is on strike, not the suburbs.
So 3/4 of the people live in municipalities with no service disruptions.
In the City of Vancouver, 44% of households have municipal garbage pickup, and 56% of households have private garbage pickup. The 56% carry on much as before, but the 44% are storing garbage, composting, and taking it to transfer stations in other municipalities. Downtown businesses are taking it upon themselves to keep things tidy.

Community centres are all closed and playing fields are unmowed.

Beyond that, people are carrying on as usual.

 

[edmontonsubbie]

well...

Well, first off, only the City of Vancouver is on strike, not the suburbs.
So 3/4 of the people live in municipalities with no service disruptions.
In the City of Vancouver, 44% of households have municipal garbage pickup, and 56% of households have private garbage pickup. The 56% carry on much as before, but the 44% are storing garbage, composting, and taking it to transfer stations in other municipalities. Downtown businesses are taking it upon themselves to keep things tidy.

Community centres are all closed and playing fields are unmowed.

Beyond that, people are carrying on as usual.

...thank you very much for that informative and statistically detailed reply. I did not realize any of this...but, now I do. It's always a wonderful thing to see people pick up the slack in the face a lack of service. One of the hallmarks of "civilized society".

Having said all that....what's your opinion on the strike itself? Do the unions have a good case? or are they being unreasonable in their contract timing...last I heard that was the sticking point. They want it to come due just prior to the Olympics....to me, that is a bit unreasonable...sort of like...give me my candy now but let me keep my gun so I can use that when you need me most....

There's always three sides to every story....

eddie.

 

[stray_slacker]

...thank you very much for that informative and statistically detailed reply. I did not realize any of this...but, now I do. It's always a wonderful thing to see people pick up the slack in the face a lack of service. One of the hallmarks of "civilized society".

Having said all that....what's your opinion on the strike itself? Do the unions have a good case? or are they being unreasonable in their contract timing...last I heard that was the sticking point. They want it to come due just prior to the Olympics....to me, that is a bit unreasonable...sort of like...give me my candy now but let me keep my gun so I can use that when you need me most....

There's always three sides to every story....

eddie.

Yup. As far as I know, a major sticking point was the fact that the workers wanted the option to strike again right before the Olympics....which I think is bullshit. It's definitely putting a gun to the city's head. Also, and I could be wrong about this, but I think alot of these guys are getting like 20-30/hr(?) - as is - for pretty easy work as well, so I really don't have much sympathy for them. However, I really haven't paid attention to this thing for at least a couple of weeks, so I really don't know what's going on.

 

[Rod Steel]

Apparently the union is also insisting on a 'signing bonus'. In other words they want to be paid for being on strike.

 

[edmontonsubbie]

tell them...

....to just quit and open their own. There's enough work out there to accomodate such an action. I get annoyed at unions ever since canary's stopped dieing in coal mines. That's infinitely simplistic of me, and I do undersand the role of collective bargaining...it's a good thing. The very stuff of democracy.

fuck, i'm drinking...I am going to continue...please do not disregard any further posts, please do invite in those under 18, and reinstate pluto to it's rightful spot.

If you can do all that....I really want to meet you. O.k....that sounded gay...but...so what? My son is gay and married to a pretty cool guy. I think my son's the bitch though....no, I'm pretty sure he is. It must be genetic.

in an effort to save face...damien rice and lisa brannigan are two of the most amazing singers i have ever heard combined.

eddie.

 

[CalgaryJenn]

I have to say, if they are still on strike, the streets downtown were cleaner this time than last time I was there. Still kinda dirty, but better than last time. Afterseeing how many people use public transit, fea the day transit strikes. And we thought it was bad when Calgary Transit went on strike. Van will turn itself inside out.