03) TORONTO LABOUR
RESPONDS TO
MANUFACTURING CRISIS
(The
following
article is from the November 16-30, 2008, issue of People's Voice,
Canada's
leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the
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By Johan Boyden
Community, labour, social justice,
youth and environmental organizations across Toronto are coming
together under the banner of the newly formed "Good Jobs Coalition" in
response to the manufacturing jobs crisis.
According to
its website,
goodjobscoalition.ca, the alliance was formed "to start a focused
dialogue on how to improve living and working conditions in Canada's
largest urban centre." The coalition is planning a conference with
keynote speakers from the US and Canada, as well as workshops on
precarious work, immigration policy and labour, public services, and
employment equity.
"For many
years, greater Toronto
earned a reputation as a place where most people could enjoy a
reasonable quality of life," the coalition's draft declaration says.
"However, opportunity and prosperity were never fully shared, and the
growth of inequality challenges us all," it adds noting that "The
market-oriented economic model of recent years is leaving many
behind... Despite the pressures of globalization, we know from real
experience that other ways are possible."
The
coalition is calling for
respect for the work done by everyone in our society; the ability to
have full-time, stable employment; the right for everyone to have a
living wage; the enforcement of legal employment standards; the need to
have work that is safe and healthy; the right to have a collective
voice at work through unionization; the recognition of diverse skills,
qualifications, learning and creativity; the provision of benefits for
medical, dental, vision and disability needs; the equitable access to
work, training and advancement; the opportunity to participate in a
greener economy; and the ability to retire with dignity.
The
conference will take place
from 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Metro Convention Center
(255 Front Street, St. Patrick TTC).